The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent —
RURAL Christmas Tournament held in Mandiopera Village in Hauna was a success as it brought together various communities from the surroundings areas of Mandiopera.
A lot of prizes were won on the day and everyone walked out a winner. The tournament was bankrolled by Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Manicaland Coordinator Chido Madiwa Tsinakwadi.
A total of five soccer teams participated at the tournament – Flying Eagles, Mandiopera, Hauna Sweepers, Ward 5 and Phase 2. In netball three teams took part namely Pangeti, Keep 8 and Mandiopera.
In soccer the teams played on round robin basis where the top team automatically becomes the winner. Flying Eagles came out on top of the five teams and were crowned the winners.
They were given a soccer kit, soccer ball and a floating trophy. The second placed Mandiopera received the same as well as the third placed Hauna Sweepers.
In netball, first game was between Keep 8 and Mandiopera, where Keep 8 was dismissed 4-13. Pangeti lost to the host Mandiopera 8-13 in the second game.
Mandiopera and Pangeti then met in the finals and it ended 17-12 in favour of Pangeti. Pangeti Village came out on top and was given gold medals, a ball and bibs. The hosts, Mandiopera came out second and was awarded silver medals, a ball and bibs, Keep 8 was given bronze medals as well as bibs and a ball.
Lucia Mwanaka of Pangeti was voted player of the tournament and she was given a body spray. All the match officials in both netball and soccer were given jackets branded Chido Madiwa Tsinakwadi. The event was graced by chiefs from various villages.
They were all given wrapped Christmas presents. There was also a race for the old where everyone walked out a winner. Some supporters were given Christmas hats and wrapped Christmas presents. It was a great early Christmas for the villagers.
Speaking after the tourney Chido Madiwa Tsinakwadi thanked all the people for coming.
“I’m very happy. I have always wanted to give back to the community. Like I indicated earlier on, giving back does not mean you have money. You can give or share the little that you have with your community. This day was a success and I want to thank all the teams and all the people of these villages for their support not forgetting all the village heads who graced this event. We have celebrated our Christmas in style,” she said.
One of the grannies who took part in the race had this to say:”The tournament was a great way for the community to bond considering how spreads out the villages are.
It was wonderful to see a community coming together for a day such like this. It is such a privilege to be part of a community which comes together despite being so spread out geographically. As a woman I was greatly encouraged and I have discovered that as women we have potential to be great. I want to thank Chido for such a tournament. We are very happy as a community.”
“The tournament went on well. When I heard about it I decided to come. I have travelled all the way from Mutare to come and be part of this tournament.
Tsinakwadi is doing a great job. Long back such tournaments were meant for men but she has proven that women can do it. I think it’s also a lesson to other ladies out there that it can be done,” said Love Nota.
