The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda , Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) will be holding a fundraising dinner in Harare on 22 November meant to come up with funding for the national sevens rugby team, the Cheetahs while at the same time celebrating the team’s success.
ZRU president Aaron Jani said Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry will be the guest of honour at the function where various rugby memorabilia will be auctioned in a bid to come up with funds for the Cheetahs as they prepare for three high profile tournaments.
Some of the prized items that will go under the hammer on the night include a South African Springboks jersey autographed by Zimbabwe-born prop Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and a Cheetahs playing shirt signed by players.
“We are having a dinner on 22 November to celebrate the success of the Cheetahs, to raise some money towards the Dubai and Cape Town tournaments. The Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry will be the guest of honour.
There are items to be auctioned with the prized of them all being a signed Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira Springboks jersey and Cheetahs shirt signed by the players. Rwanda Airways have also donated some air tickets,’’ Jani said.
The ZRU boss said they have extended an invitation to their sponsors with the target being to raise $50 000 for the Cheetahs to cater for the team’s camping costs.
“It’s going to be a corporate event where our corporate partners have been invited to supporter the cause. We are targeting to raise at least $50 000 to enable the team to bring in foreign-based players, to conduct camp and cover the players allowances. These are efforts of the Cheetahs organising committee headed by Francis Mugugu,’’ he said.
The Gilbert Nyamutsamba-coached Cheetahs last month won the Africa Cup Sevens in with a 17-5 triumph over Kenya in the final. With their conquest in Tunisia, the Cheetahs qualified for three big tournaments.
First up for Zimbabwe is the Dubai leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series at the end of November and the following week, they head off to Cape Town for yet another dance with the best in the world.
In April next year, Zimbabwe have an opportunity to become a core member of the HSBC Sevens World Series when they participate in the Hong Kong Qualifier.
Next year will also see Zimbabwe compete in the Africa Olympic qualifiers where Kenya and Uganda pose the biggest threat.
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