The Sunday Mail
ZIMBABWE international striker Edward Sadomba has hailed the inaugural Edward Sadomba Foundation football tournament as a major success.
Nine correctional service teams, drawn from the three Mashonaland provinces participated in the tournament, which was eventually won by Harare Central Prison who edged Hurungwe 5-4 after a penalty shoot-out.
“Our major aim was to instil hope among the inmates and show them that the world has not lost interest in them because even the Bible teaches that Joseph was once a prisoner but he remained hopeful and was later anointed a leader on his release.
“I thank God that the tournament was a major success, even the community managed to mix and mingle with the inmates, which obviously will go a long way in bringing back the much needed hope to them.
“A lot of us were pleasantly surprised with the abundance of talent in the prisons. Mixing and mingling with their heroes like former great players like Stewart (Murisa), Gilbert Mushangazhike, Harlington Shereni and Tostao Kwashi also went a long way in cheering the inmates’ spirits.
“Hopefully, God permitting, we will stage an even better tournament next year,” said the Libyan-based striker whose talent has seen him plying his trade in South Africa, Mozambique, Sudan and Dubai.
The tournament was graced by several coaches among them Lloyd Mutasa, Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera and Masimba Mutame, who helped in selecting a Mashonaland select that will compete with other regions on prison day.
Winning captain Edmore Mupinyure said the tournament meant a lot to the inmates and thanked Sadomba for remembering them.
“When you are behind bars you tend to feel like society has rejected and forgotten you but today Sadomba has shown us that people out there remember us,” said Mupinyure.
