The Sunday News
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
VETERAN football coach Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu was among four sports personalities honoured for selflessly serving the industry in uplifting youngsters within Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo.
Seasoned sports journalist Lovemore Dube, renowned rugby coach George “Rollo” Mukorera and Eugene Dube received medals of honour on Christmas Eve. Eugene is a former junior league, Bafa and Gugulethu Football Club administrator. Zulu, who celebrated his 55 years in football shed tears at being honoured by the community.
Sihlangene Community Club, a group brought together by footballers Gift Lunga (senior), Welcome Sbu Sibanda, Wonder Mpofu, Thabani Ncube and other friends in the diaspora funded the awards.
“It’s such an honour to be appreciated for your work while alive. What makes this honour special is that it is coming from boys who were not yet born when I started football and I went on to train them. Also, this recognition is special because I’ve coached many clubs and have never been honoured but these boys have made me special. This is truly special and I’ll cherish it for the days of my life,” said Zulu.
Former Chronicle Sports Editor, Dube stated: “It’s quite an honour to be recognised by the community for what one does. We work for community and not awards, so when you get recognised you feel you have had a positive social impact. I have been reporting since I was a kid, it started off with those that were bullying me or stealing at home. I think it’s been a life of service to community.”
Sihlangene started in the 1990s as an initiative which gave birth to Cosmos FC who produced 2010 Soccer Star of the Year Charles Sibanda among other talented footballers from Entumbane.
The idea was to bring together the community using sport, and these gatherings to fight substance abuse, gender based violence, HIV/Aids, human trafficking by speaking about these openly.
Mukorera, who played a key role in introducing rugby at schools in Entumbane was elated with the honour.
“Everything I’ve done for the sport has been inspired to uplift the lives and give hope to young kids. Rugby was a sport for the minority and I’m happy to have played a role in introducing the sport in my Entumbane neighbourhood. I’m grateful with the recognition from the community and I hope it inspires others,” Mukorera said. — Follow on Twitter @ZililoR
