The Sunday Mail
It is normal to save the best for last.
So last week when the Zimbabwe Volleyball National League awards organisers finished announcing all the individual awards, the big one had to come last.
The MVP crown.
And it appropriately went to a 22-year-old UZ Wolves star who is always the last off the court after practice: Tafadzwa Keni.
“I dedicate at least two hours after every practice to work on areas I feel I am weak. You can call it personal training,” said the utility player. It’s always a huge shock for me to be awarded an award of such great value and honour, only heard I was part of the nominees for the 2018 National League award winners but to know if I was to be MVP it was something else,” said Keni, who represents reigning Harare Volleyball League. Keni is also the Zone VI Championships MVP, and his latest award caps off a fabulous season for the UZ Wolves utility player, who captained the side to a maiden National League title.
“It wasn’t an easy road but by the grace of God and the team work, we managed to sail through,” he said.
“This year has been a great run for the whole team and also on a personal level. Having returned from Egypt (for the Africa Club Championships in April) the team was determined to set new standards in terms of Zimbabwean volleyball. That entailed giving it our all in both the National League and Harare league.”
Keni and his team mates are preparing for the Zone VI Championships in South Africa in a fortnight.
“We are ready to go and compete again but this time our focus is not on the Zone VI champs, but we extend our glance towards the CAVB Champs that are to be in Tunisia. Morale in the team is up there but am sure by 27 March all guns will be heading to Durban Firing.”
Keni might be hardworking player, but he credits his success to his “supportive family”.
“My brother Ephynos Zvainaka who is in Australia right now has been supportive. He always pushes me by his statement, ‘Shiri Iam always better than you’ to which hearing such it’s always what sends me to the training ground when nobody is watching,” said Keni.
The Sunday Mail Sport caught up with Keni’s parents who are into sport themselves. His dad, Richard, is the Irvine’s Division Two football team manager, while mother Mercy coaches the Irvine’s netball team.
“We are a family that loves sport and we are proud of what Tafadzwa has achieved so far we only pray for more,” said Mercy.
His father praised his “respectful”, “quiet” and “focused” second born and only son in a family of three children.
