Rural Manicaland schools shine at NAPH 

Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira/Farai Matebvu

CHIPINGE TIMES REPORTERS

CHIPINGE-Three rural Manicaland province schools defied the odds outshining their urban counterparts at the just-ended National Association of Primary Schools Heads (NAPH) competitions. The schools clinched gold and silver medals.
Garahwa and Matione primary schools of Chipinge scooped gold and silver in netball and soccer respectively. Manjokota of Buhera got silver in the girls’ volleyball category while St Joseph Primary, a Rusape urban school scooped gold in the boys’ basketball category.
Garahwa and St Joseph primary schools received a floating trophy and ZWL$25 000 each, while Matione and Manjokota walked away ZWL$20 000 richer each.

The national competitions were held last week at the United College of Education in Bulawayo .
Veteran Manicaland sports administrator Godfrey Mufuranhewe applauded the stellar performance by the rural schools and called for more sports funding in the rural schools.
“We want to thank schools that are investing resources in sports. We urge other schools, Government and key stakeholders to prioritise sports at the grassroots level.
“Local authorities must also provide sporting facilities to communities to develop different sporting disciplines at lower levels. This helps in talent identification. We applaud the rural schools for outshining their urban counterparts,” Mufuranhewe added
Garahwa school head and netball assistant coach Judnoss Foroma said his charges displayed classic netball.

“The only team that gave us competition was from Mashonaland West. We managed to beat all the teams in our group. My girls displayed classic netball. Our netball standards were very high at the tournament. One thing I am proud of is that our team is purely from Garahwa. We did not blend with other schools. We hope to continue with our fine form,” said Foroma.
Matione coach Shadreck Mhlanga said we needed a lot of preparations for such tournaments.
“The games were tough. It was my first time being in the national finals. I did not have enough experience for such a big tournament. My boys did very well, and I am proud of them. It is a good experience for us as a school and for me as a coach.

“I have learned a lot which I will apply in the upcoming assignments. I also want to urge organisers of these tournaments to source sponsorship so that winning teams may be well rewarded,” said Mhlanga. 
Manjokota volleyball team coach Dennis Mudiwa expressed joy at his charges competing against urban schools and bringing accolades home.
“We are delighted that we defied all odds to get into the final and clinched a silver medal. We outclassed most of the urban schools that are well resourced than us. We produced a scintillating performance at the highest level, and our girls made us proud. They have brought pride and joy to the school and province at large,” said Mudiwa.https://chipingetimes.co.zw