The Sunday News
Mandla Moyo, Sports Reporter
TREMENDOUS progress has been made in the Orap Zenzele Champions Cup over the years since its inception in 2014.
This was said by Mike Blatch, the principal representative of Auto World Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on the sidelines of the just ended Isuzu Orap Zenzele Champions Cup held at Gifford High School.
According to Bleach, the project which started off a few years ago with the intention of sourcing non-destructible balls for disadvantaged children drew from schools in rural communities in Zimbabwe has since grown bigger as well as better to become an important part of the schools sporting calendar.
“We have made great progress over the years, originally we started with just boys’ teams involved in the tournament. The second year we introduced girls’ teams, this year we have got an equal number of girls’ teams as well as boys’ teams participating.
“The number of teams participating has grown, the number of companies participating has gone up, so has the number of people coming to watch the tournament,” said Blatch.
True to his observation this year’s edition was supported by a number of corporate organisations from around Bulawayo.
All the teams that participated were honoured with a branded kit, with the winners receiving medals in addition to a floating trophy
As part of efforts to get better, Blatch promised that through this partnership with Orap, the competition will be back next year even bigger and better.
Orap chief executive office, Mvuselelo Huni said the organisers are committed to investing in youth because sport builds confidence among young people and teaches teamwork.
This year’s edition was won by Mosi Oa Tunya High from Victoria Falls after throwing their counterparts from Tsholotsho into the Kasambabezi (Zambezi) River to cruise to a 2-nil victory.
On their way to the final Mosi beat Tongwe 1-0 while Tsholotsho were saved by a penalty missed to escape the jaws of defeat against Nkayi 6-5.
In the girls’ category Tongwe High from Beitbridge walked away winners after edging Zwangenda 1 nil to defend the trophy.
On their journey to the final Tongwe took on Zwangenda after dismissing Nswazi 2-0 while the former won 1-0 against a fighting Dinyane.
Three provinces were represented namely Matabeleland North, South as well as Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. Schools that took part in this year’s edition are Tongwe, Nkayi High, Fatima, Zwangenda, Mzimune, Gifford who were the hosts and Townsend, among others.
