eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
Innscor Africa Limited chairman, Addison Chinake, believes investing in junior sport has tremendous benefits as the developed and groomed players feed directly into the senior national team.
Speaking at the teams’ capping ceremonies for the Zimbabwe school cricket teams under 14, under 15 and 17, Chinake stressed the significance of having a large pool of players and international exposure to Zimbabwean cricket.
Innscor together with its subsidiary company, Natpak (Private) Limited are the main sponsors of the KwaZulu-Natal tour.
“Zimbabwe cricket has faced a number of challenges recently, but as a group, we believe that it is important to ensure that development of the game of cricket continues, particularly at junior level.
“Cricket continues to be an increasingly popular and growing sport in Zimbabwe and notwithstanding the size of our player base and the challenges that the country has faced, we have continued to hold our own as a national team and record some notable victories against some of the traditional powerhouses of the game,” he said.
Innscor, a home-grown, proudly Zimbabwean company, is involved in a substantial number of corporate social responsibility programmes covering community support, art, culture, sports and animal welfare.
“It is against this backdrop that we, as Innscor and Natpak, are delighted to support our junior cricket teams on this tour. The tour will provide our young men with a fantastic opportunity to compete and test their skills against high-quality opposition, and the experience will be invaluable for all of them.
“Tours such as these are indeed vital for the growth of the game of cricket in Zimbabwe, and are an extremely important part of our journey in returning to the top tier of the game,” Chinake added.
The nine-day tour is expected to give Zimbabwe’s three sides the much-needed exposure to competitive cricket as consistency in local cricket remains a priority.
The team departed Zimbabwe yesterday and they will tour Durban and Pietermaritzburg before their return on August 30.
The three age groups will compete in five matches each against Northwood, Durban inland (double) and Durban Costals (double) over their nine days tour.
Under-15 captain Tadiwa Mandimutsira, thanked sponsors and parents who made their trip a success before assuring Zimbabweans that they will leave no stone unturned in a quest to excel in South Africa.
Mandimutsira, who made it into the team for the second year consecutive, also conveyed the importance of sportsmanship and discipline while on tour.
“Through participation in sport and physical education, young people learn about the importance of key values such as, honesty, teamwork, fair play, respect for themselves and others and adherence to rules. I would like to appreciate every sponsor and parents who forked out money for this trip.
“It provides a forum for young people to deal with competition and how to cope when one wins or loses. I believe we have what it takes to win and we will not disappoint,” he said.
Some of the sponsors included Colcom, Safwaan Investments, Mr & Mrs Mandimutsira, Mr & Mrs Nduku, Mr & Mrs MacMillan and Mr & Mrs Nzvenga.
Teams
Under-14: John Mark Benadie, Lwandile Chitofu, Philli Ewing, Nathaniel Hlanbangana, Matthew Landman, Takudzwa Nduku, Dylan Nzvenga, Issac Phiri, Tyde Sturruo, Korl Vilione, Bradely Westzel, Anthony Gliwtzki, Travis Pettican.
Manager: R Munyaradzi.
Coach: H Chikomba.
Under-15: Huggins Machaka, Campbell Macmillan, Matifadza Mafuwa, Tadiwa Mandimutsira, Matipaishe Pasipanodya, Simbarashe Mudimu, Tapfuma Mukwazhu, Weston Rabvunda, Matthew Rust, Ryan Rabvunda, Anthony Hickey, Matthew Schonken.
Manager: C Mandenge.
Coach: B Mlambo.
Under-17: Tadiwa Banda, Benjamin Banks, Tapiwanashe Chisango, Mufaro Garande, Moses Tapiwa Gwese, Siphiwe Mhlope, Brendown Hyslop, Tanatswanashe Lusiyano, Joshua Martell, Tinotenda Matimbura, Shan Naik, Bright Moyo, Nansh Pate.
Coach: A Tuihana.
Manager: R Munyaradzi.
