BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s schools rugby festival, which had disappeared from the scene in recent years, will return to the calendar courtesy of a welcome sponsorship from Mwana Group (Pvt) Ltd.
The Harare-headquartered multinational conglomerate company will bankroll the popular event, to be known as Mwana Group International Rugby Festival, for the next five years. The first tournament will be held in April and May next 2024 at the traditional venue, Prince Edward School.
“The tournament will have participation from the top rugby schools in Zimbabwe, international touring teams, developmental sides and also the girl child’s participation,” Mwana Group’s Managing Director Kuda Mutenda said in a statement.
“We truly believe that the athletes who will be participating in the 2024 Festival, will constitute the biggest talent pool for athletes available for selection for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia and the 2028 Rugby 7s team for the Los Angeles Olympics. We truly believe that Zimbabwe’s historic qualification and even medal contention, are very likely possibilities. And above all, we want to be part of the structures that guarantee this, for Zimbabwe Rugby and the whole country at large.”
Mwana Africa (Pvt) Ltd MD Dr Kuda Mutenda, a former student of Prince Edward School, is a big rugby fan and youth development enthusiast.
The tournament will also have exciting international flavour.
“Various international sides in Japan, Germany, Romania, United Kingdom, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and Botswana have been contacted and all expressed a positive interest to participate,” added Mutenda.
