The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Sports Reporter
THE Orap Zenzele Chevrolet Champions Cup, an annual schools football tournament has rebranded to Isuzu with the competition to be staged at Gifford High School on Friday and Saturday.
Eight boys’ schools and six girls’ ones are taking part in this year’s tournament, which is the fifth edition since the competition started in 2014. Of the boys’ schools, three are from Matabeleland North, two Matabeleland South, the same number from Midlands while Gifford are the only Bulawayo representatives. For the girls, Matabeleland North, Midlands and Matabeleland South have two schools each. Gifford, who are included by virtue of being the host school are the only team from the urban part of the country with the rest being from the rural areas.
The Orap Zenzele Isuzu Champions Cup is an Under-20 rural schools tournament that began in 2014 when Orap and Autoworld Bulawayo, who were the distributors of Chevrolet at that time, partnered up to distribute indestructible Chevrolet One World Futbols to schools, clubs and other organisations throughout the country. Orap, together with Autoworld, decided to then create a tournament that would stand as an investment in young people’s development as far as sport concerned.
Bongiwe Nkomazana, the Organisation of Rural Associations for Progress brand management assistant said the Orap Zenzele Isuzu Champions Cup is meant to empower young people so that they view sport as more than just a pastime.
A part of the Shooting for Education and Development programme, the Orap Zenzele Isuzu Champions Cup aims to empower and inspire young people to see sport as more than just recreation but as a tool for their development. It brings together young people from different communities, creating a platform for performance, learning, relationship building and leadership development.
One of the incentives for this year’s tournament is a week-long camp with Highlanders for five of the outstanding players.
“In a male dominated sport like soccer, the Orap Zenzele Isuzu Champions Cup nurtures the talent of young girls. To add on, all participating teams receive soccer kits, prizes and awards to motivate them and encourage them to keep playing. This year one of the incentives is a week-long camp with Highlanders FC for five of the most outstanding players,’’ Nkomazana said.
Tsholotsho High School were last year’s winners for the boys after they defeated Mosi-oa-Tunya 4-2 on penalties while Mzimuni were the champions for girls with a 3-1 win on penalties triumph over Bulu.
Other sponsors who have also contributed to this year’s tournament are Arenel, Lion Stores, Old Mutual, John Pocock, Forster Irrigation, Justine Clothing, Sanford Signs, Schweppes, Heads and Hooves as well as Blue Island Driving School.
Participating Schools
Zwangendaba High (Mat North);Tsholotsho High (Mat North);Pashu High (Mat North);Mabhikwa High (Mat North); Manama High (Mat South); Gloag High (Mat North); Malungudzi High (Mat South); Gifford High (Bulawayo); Fatima High (Mat North); Tongwe High (Mat South); Mdubiwa (Midlands); Manama High (Mat South); Mhlangano High (Midlands); Sibomvu High (Midlands)
