Division 1; 2 netball leagues launched in Chipinge

FUNGAYI MUNYORO-CHINGAIRA

CHECHECHE – In a remarkable development for women sport local community has launched netball leagues that will see the emergence of Division 1 and Division 2 games in Chipinge District.
The launch will see more than two dozen teams that have been playing social netball turning into professionals.
The league was launched at Checheche Growth Point on July 17, 2022, and games are expected to start in August. Guests and dignitaries who attended the launch include Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) Manicaland coordinator Shupikai Berejena, Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) technical head Pius Chikorwa and Chipinge South MP Enock Porusingasi.
An 11-member committee chaired by Win Bhila which will run the leagues was also announced at the launch.
Porusingazi immediately pledged to support the leagues with uniforms and transport to games.
Speaking at the function Chikorwa said that the league had since been endorsed by the mother body, ZINA and in Chipinge it will run under the tagline’ Netball Is My Life’.
The league’s main objective is to nurture and promote local talent.
Bhila said that the league will be played from two different geographical areas of Chipinge for financial reasons. Teams in Central Chipinge will include Chipinge urban, Mabheka, Jopa and Clearwater that will play among themselves while teams in Valley Region which is mainly Checheche will also play separately.
The best two Division 1 teams will be promoted to the premier league, said Bhila.
There will be a launch tournament at the end of this month to select teams that will fall under Division One and Two and this tournament will be held at Checheche said Bhila.
The league’s executive committee has Bhila as chairperson, Gloria Mutisi as vice chairperson, Lawrence Murwisi as the league’s secretary while Zodwa Mhlanga is the vice secretary. Charles Chikukwa is the league’s Treasury. Thazo Muringami is the league’s organising secretary. Selina Marebe and Vimbai Chigori are the fixture secretaries for Valley and Central Regions respectively. Moreblessing Mashakwani is a committee member.
The committee must fundraise and secure sponsorship.
Speaking at the launch Berejena hailed the initiative saying it would provide a platform for players to showcase their talent. He encouraged the new league to do proper player registration so that they won’t lose players to other clubs for free.
“As a league you have to do club and player registration. This will benefit the club. Failure to do so players will be taken at will by richer clubs and you won’t benefit anything. You need to make sure that you have files of each and every player at your club,” said Berejena.
Chikorwa encouraged the league to run courses for coaches and umpires.
“As a league, you need to be well versed with the game. There is need for sports administration, coaching and umpiring courses for each and every leader. These courses must be your first priority before the league takes off so that you will be well equipped,” said Chikorwa.
Bhila said his committee will hit the ground running.
“We are ready to work. I know it’s not easy but we will hit the ground running. Netball in Chipinge will be recognized. We will introduce professionalism and we will have training for our clubs soon.
“We will begin with a tournament where we will invite all teams. Here in Checheche we have close to 15 teams who have been playing social games,” said Bhila
“I’m in full support of this initiative. We will walk the journey together giving each other moral support. We have been starved of sports like netball as a community. It was our desire to have netball. The sport is needed here in Checheche. I pledge to support and work with every team. I will provide uniforms and transport for our teams,” he said.