The Sunday Mail
NEWLY-crowned Zimbabwe Junior Squash champion Innocent Mukumba is revelling in glory after bagging his first national title, but bemoans the dearth of funding for the sport.
The 19-year-old, son to top local coach Mashumba Mukumba, edged his training partner Covermore Mutata 3-2 in the final of well attended championship in Bulawayo last month.
“It was very impressive and am really proud of myself . . . it was a tight game. He didn’t start well; I led 2-0, he drew level, but in the end I prevailed,” said the teenager, who got his revenge on Callum Lawton in the semi-finals.
“I wasn’t expecting to win the tournament because I messed up in the last one I played.
“I was thrashed 0-3 by Callum in the previous tournament; it was not a good final, but I am glad to have beaten him on my way to winning my first Zimbabwe Championship title.”
Mukumba disclosed that he will be focusing on his academics more this year at the expense of squash.
“This year I won’t be training as hard as I should because I need to concentrate on my studies; I am supplementing some subjects.
“I am hoping to leave Zimbabwe maybe next year and further my squash career because here it’s tough.
“We need support from companies for squash to grow; sponsorship has been a challenge, hence it is risky to concentrate on squash only.
“We have top guys like Admire (Magwaza) and Muhwati (Blessing) whom I believe with sound funding can do great for this country in squash,” he said.
Working with his father has not been easy for the youngster.
“My father is obviously the reason I started playing squash, but surprisingly he has grown a negative attitude as he fears for my game.
“If he is doing it deliberately for me to push myself then it’s working because I want to prove him wrong. I am positive-minded in everything I do,” he said.
Hailing from the high-density suburb of Budiriro motivates Mukumba to excel in a sport that was once considered elitist.
“It’s not easy to play these minority sports, especially when one comes from high density suburbs. I was lucky to have my dad already involved in the game, but one always needs to work hard to make it,” he said.
