Zimpapers Sports Hub
ORGANISERS of the Mwana Group Schools Rugby Festival are eager to avoid the few operational glitches that affected the hugely successful inaugural event last year.
For instance, “The Derby Day”, held during the same week, proved to be a huge counterattraction, with teams like Churchill and Prince Edward forced to pull double duty.
This seriously affected fan viewership and attendance.
Kudakwashe Mutendi was stretched thin as a result as he acted as both festival founder and director.
However, this has since been corrected, with the second edition now set to be held from May 4 to 10.
Prince Edward School, as has become the norm, will act as hosts.
Stanley Mushongamhizha has been appointed the festival’s chief executive officer.
He appears enthusiastic about the upcoming event.
“These are exciting times, both for the Mwana Group and rugby as a whole,” said Mushongamhizha.
“I am so excited to be coming on board for this, the second edition of the Mwana Group Schools Rugby Festival.
“It is a very important developmental rugby festival, which aims to shine a light on the sport at the grassroots level and spread the game as far as possible.
“It is going to bring all the 10 provinces together, bring in all races together and shine a light on the sport.”
He said last year’s festival was affected by the St John’s Derby Day, which was held in the same week.
“The two festivals split the crowds on key days.
“However, I am glad to say that the situation has been resolved and we hope to see more and more people coming through for the duration of the festival,” he said.
He also promised a lot more of what many have come to expect from this event — formerly the Dairibord and Cottco Schools Rugby Festival — but with a lot more flair and many more attractions.
“Basically, as it pertains to my roles and duties, I will be handling the day-to-day running of the festival, also working on deals and contracts, drafting budgets for the festival and ensuring that everything runs smoothly,” he said.
The main goals of this year’s festival, he added, are to ensure the quality of rugby is improved, viewership and visibility are increased and the quality of officiating is improved across all age groups.
Preparations are already at an advanced stage.
Several sponsors, Mushongamhiza added, have expressed willingness to come on board.
“We are working tirelessly with the committee and hosts Prince Edward School to ensure the facilities are up to scratch,” he said.
“Schools have been contacted already and we are waiting for responses, while we have also increased the number of foreign teams.
“We are aiming at bringing schools from South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia and Mozambique, with the projected total number being around 10 international teams.”
