The Sunday News
FORMER national women’s rugby team player Octavia Chikukura, who has been sidelined by injury in 2013, is ready to make the much awaited return.
The former Pangolins winger sustained a fractured left arm, at the African Championships Games in Tunisia in April 2013, a calamity that was then described as “career threatening’’.
Chikukura started her career as a professional rugby player at Harare Sports Club in 2001. However, her breakthrough came six years later when she made her debut appearance in the national team side, the Pangolins.
Inspired by the former Pangolins team skipper Lucia Marisamhuka, who played until the age of 40, the 31-year-old Chikukura is hoping to be in action for the next three years before retiring.
As part of the effort for her to find her feet again, a week ago the three time bronze medalist started a light training session with Hwange’s Western Panthers.
Chikukura was part of the team that crushed Zambia under the guidance of Nsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda to lift the title of the BancABC and Delta Beverages sponsored tournament, the BancABC Cup, at Harare Sports Club, in 2011.
The winger, who believes that she is now fit as a fiddle, told this publication that she was pleased to be back on the field of play and that she was to work round the clock so as to be recalled on national duty again.
“I’m pleased to be back in action and my doctors have confirmed that my left am has fully healed,” said a delighted Chikukura.
“I hope to be recalled into the national team since I have recovered and I still hope to win more titles for the nation before calling it a day in this sport,” added Chikukura.
Driven by her passion for the sport, Chikukura is opting to embark on a coaching career so as to introduce the little known sport into the girls’ category to schools around Hwange and Victoria Falls.
