The ManicaPost
Blessing Gondokondo Sports Reporter —
THE entertainment starved high-density suburb of Gaza in Chipinge was a hive of activity as tea growers, New Year’s Gift, defied all odds to lift the inaugural Chipinge Community Cup.
The tournament was held at Gaza grounds recently.
The first edition of the tournament which drew most of Chipinge residents lived up to its billing as it created a carnival atmosphere that is a rare sight for the farming town. The tournament which started off with 22 soccer teams from Chipinge participating, was left with eight teams last Saturday after some qualifying play-offs.
New Year’s Gift players received gold medals and the CCC Cup for their victory. The runners-up were Rising Star who went home with silver medals. Gabbana Football Club settled for third position and went away with bronze medals. Simba Mwangeni, financier and the brains behind the tournament, applauded the winning teams and gave credit to Rising Stars for their great ambition.
“Great work was exhibited by New Year’s Gift team for their relentlessness. However, Rising Stars was the most ambitious team as they went all the way to the finals without a coach, manager or sponsor. They displayed and taught other teams unity in the game,” said Mwangeni.
Meanwhile, Gaza High School triumphed in women soccer. New Year’s Gift women soccer team was the first runners-up followed by the Leopards FC who won bronze. In netball, Super Eagles displayed great netball passing and shooting skills and walked away with gold medals, followed by the fist runners-up Chipinge Hospital and Macdom on third position.
The event was graced by Ministry of Sports and Recreation provincial co-ordinator, Prince Mutsvunguma and Sports and Recreation Commission provincial officer, Shupikai Berejena.
“We have identified many sporting talents in Chipinge and we will continue working with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to ensure that sport in the town develops,” added Mwangeni.
