The ManicaPost
Blessing Gondokondo Sports Reporter —
MUTARE Rugby Board is organising a key stakeholders indaba aimed at revitalising the sport in the province this year.
This was agreed at the first 2017 board meeting where the need to hold the 2017 MRB indaba next month was raised.
The meeting was held last Saturday and looked at various activities held last year and those to be held this year.
It was agreed that an annual indaba should be held in February where all rugby stakeholders, the corporate world and the general public would be invited to share ideas on how rugby in Manicaland could be improved.
In an interview, Mutare Sports Club seasoned coach, Mckenzie Munetsi, said the purpose of the 2017 indaba’s was to brainstorm on ways of improving rugby playing in the province.
“The indaba is important to the game of rugby as we will be looking on what is on the ground which include the resources we have and ideas that will help in increasing the performance of our team in the upcoming national rugby league,” said Munetsi.
MRB president, Richard Chiwandire, said: “The board meeting we had last Saturday was meant to come up with a long term strategy for 2017. A date for the indaba was set as well as that of the AGM.”
“We want Manicaland to be the most active province in the country. According to Zimbabwe Rugby Union statistics, Manicaland was said to be the most active in rugby development,” said Chiwandire.
MRB chairman, Josiah Borerwe, said MRB was inviting all stakeholders to the indaba so that they help in raising Manicaland flag high.
“We are inviting all rugby stakeholders, the corporate world and the general public to attend the meeting so that we put our minds together, support local rugby and help develop young players,” said Borerwe.
It was agreed during the meeting that Manicaland should have one team in the national rugby league.
Mutare Sports Club select team will be formed. Players will be drawn from MSC, Mountain Lions Rugby Club and the recently formed Hearts of Stone Academy.
A local rugby league will be formed and will be running concurrently with the national rugby league.
The Mutare Rugby League will be made up of teams from local secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
