The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE Sports and Recreation Commission on Tuesday launched the Raj Modi Annual Sports Gala set to feature netball and football tournaments involving teams from the Bulawayo South constituency.
A highlight of the tourney will be a match between Bulawayo Legends and Bulawayo Media Select.
Twelve teams are set to battle it out in the netball sections while 15 football teams will be vying for the top prizes.
SRC Bulawayo Provincial coordinator, Sam Dzvimbu said the event, scheduled for this weekend, is meant to encourage the playing of sports at the lowest level.
He said teams involved in the competition are ward-based teams, from Ward 21 and Ward 6 and they will be using the opportunity to identify players for the forthcoming National Youth Games to be held in Gweru in August.
Dzvimbu said the tournament is being sponsored to the tune of $15 000 and will see the top teams in both netball and football walking away with full set kits and balls for their respective disciplines.
The tourney is funded by businessman, Raj Modi, together with, Rejoice Mafukidze and Ray Mtomba.
“Bulawayo provincial coaches for both netball and football squads will be present and will select players for the provincial teams that will be included in the Youth Games teams.
“The top three in both disciplines will each receive a full set kit with the winners also getting four balls, while the second place team will get three balls and the team that comes third will get two balls on top,” said Dzvimbu.
He said the Legends select team is set to feature the best yesteryear stars that have graced top flight football and will be coached by Gibson Homela assisted by Barry Daka and Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu.
Former players who have confirmed participation in the legends team include Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, Dazzy Kapenya, Agent “Ajira” Sawu, Zenzo“Zemura” Moyo, Nation Dube, Chipo Tsodzo, Johannes Ndlovu, Herbert Dick, Highlanders coach, Madinda Ndlovu and Siza Khoza among others.
Modi said he is continuing with his work of supporting sporting activities and hopes this event will give an opportunity to young talent to shine.
Suburbs under Ward 6 include Bellevue, Newton West, Barham Green, Montrose, West Somerton, Southwold, Donnington, Belmont and Sidojiwe Hostel while under Ward 21 there is Sizinda, Tshabalala and Tshabalala Extension.
