The Sunday News
Mbekezeli Ncube, Sports Reporter
EAGER to prop up the less privileged children, a Bulawayo firm Davis Granite in union with Sizane High School held a fund-raising sports fun day yesterday for the eighth year running.
Soccer, netball, tug-of-war, darts, chess and volleyball are the sporting codes which were played on the day with more than 200 athletes participating in what was hailed as the biggest edition since its inception in 2008 with a total of 40 teams registering for the event compared to last year’s 29.
Mthwakazi, Flame Stars, Tredgold Prosecutors, Delta Transport, Cuban Doctors, Lobengula Queens, Vulindlela Youth Club, Davis Granite and Sizane High were part of the participating teams which kept the crowd entertained throughout the day.
Sinatra Nyathi, National Aids Council provincial coordinator for Bulawayo province who was the guest of honour praised Davis Granite for coming up with an idea for such a wonderful event.
“It’s a great practice done by Davis Granite to try and spread information on HIV/Aids through sports and we wish that they’ll continue in years to come,” said Nyathi.
“As NAC we want to reduce HIV infections by 90 percent and we urge every individual to get tested not just for them but for the world as a whole”, she said.
Sizane High headmistress, Reverend Deborah Manyoba, said the event has played a very pivotal role in developing the school since its inauguration in 2008.
“The funds raised in this programme have contributed to the less privileged, it covers their school fees and uniform costs. The event also contributes to the building of classrooms and other buildings at our school, our partnership with Davis Granite has been so wonderful,’’ Manyoba said.
Zimbabwe Republic Police West Commonage clinched a trophy in volleyball, Zesa were too good for their opponents in the tug-of-war category as they walked away with a shield. Daltabs scooped shields in both netball and darts.
There was a moment of controversy in soccer as a match between Delta Transporters and ZRP West Commonage was abandoned as the Delta team protested against the referee’s decision. Soccer has since been scrapped from the programme for future events.
Sports Coordinator for Davis Granite Veronica Stanley said the event was their way of giving back to the community from where they operate from.
“We’re giving back to the community and for doing this we’re making a difference to one person who’s living with the deadly Aids disease which is a good thing to do” she said.
