WATCH: St Columba’s School: fertile ground for sporting talent

Blessed Moyo, Sports Reporter

ST Columba’s High School in Bulawayo, for long the bastion of academic and sporting excellence, will soon offer scholarships to deserving and underprivileged children.

The school has had some of its pupils making a mark both nationally and internationally.
Among the notable stars to emerge are radio and television personality Muziwethu Hadebe, former Eagles and Highlanders dribbling wizard Tanny Banda, Nqobizitha Maenzanise, Matambanashe Sibanda, Famsa Academy owner Isaac Mbedzi, Chicken Inn president Lifa Ncube, former Zifa panel referee Phila Khabo, Mayfield Daka, reigning Castle Lager Referee of the Year Owen Mananda, athletes Ryan Muchadonha, Dumoluhle Sibanda and Paullete Tubute.

Panashe Sibanda is on a basketball scholarship in the US and before her were the Sibanda sisters, Noku, Samu and Fungai who played for Peking Stars, a top national and city basketball side, tennis players Romeo Khanye, Tinashe Whata and present sensation Akeelah Khanye and some have been outstanding in disciplines such as chess.

Allan “The Ripper” Mpofu a former professional wrestler who was active during the days of legends Patrick Flyer, Big Mike Tshuma, Honolulu, Chris Diamond, Robbie Kapora and Paul “Bad News” Ngozo is a former pupil at the school.
This week the headmaster of the school, Reverend Canon Ncube, said the school impressed with its academic and sporting success had decided to offer some pupils scholarships.

Muziwethu Hadebe

He said the boys and girls were doing a good job in putting the school in the positive light all the time they went onto the field to excel.

Rev Ncube said: “We have groomed the likes of Nqobizitha Maenzanise, Matambanashe Sibanda, Isaac Mbedzi and Muziwethu Hadebe all of whom have become heroes in the sporting world.

“Furthermore, the school is working on a scholarship programme for Akeelah, which will provide her with long-term support and resources to help her achieve her tennis goals.”

Akeelah is in Mozambique taking part in a series of tennis events that are hoped will help her rise in the tennis rankings.
“This initiative underscores St Columba’s High School’s commitment to identifying and nurturing talented young athletes, and providing them with the opportunities they need to succeed. The school is thrilled to be nurturing Akeelah’s talent. We’re dedicated to providing our students with the opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential, both on and off the field,” he said.

Rev Ncube said they would like to also give opportunities to children who have sporting talent but are academically gifted a chance to pursue both fields coming from underprivileged backgrounds.

“We want to provide opportunities for children who are talented but lack the resources to pursue their dreams,” he explained.
The school plans to offer full scholarships to deserving students, providing them with access to top-class coaching, facilities, and education.

This initiative is a testament to St Columba’s High School’s dedication to developing the next generation of sporting talent, regardless of background or financial means.

With its rich history of producing top athletes and its commitment to nurturing new talent, the school remains a hub for sporting excellence.

In a demonstration of its commitment to nurturing sporting talent, St Columba’s High School’s Development Committee has come out in support of Akeelah, the 14-year-old tennis prodigy currently competing in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament in Maputo.

“The school has pledged to provide Akeelah with a daily allowance of at least US$20 to help cover her expenses while she is in Mozambique,’ said Rev Ncube. This generous gesture is a testament to the school’s dedication to supporting its students’ academic, vocational, and sporting pursuits.

Rev Ncube said through partners abroad they would love to see their pupils getting scholarships to study abroad while pursuing sporting disciplines.