JAYSON KARAN
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has pledged to financially support the Zimbabwe Rugby Under-20 national team that is set to travel to Kenya to defend the Barthes Africa Trophy which they won last year.
The pledge came when the Young Sables paid a courtesy visit to President Mnangagwa at the State House on Monday.
The Young Sables are currently the African champions and will be the team to beat at the upcoming tournament set to run from this Saturday up to April 30 in Kenya.
This competition is going to be something the Young Sables will be looking forward to as they attempt to defend and retain the championship. Defending the championship will be guaranteed qualification to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship scheduled for later this year in South Africa.
Monday, on the eve of the 43rd Independence celebration, President Mnangagwa hosted the team at State House, in a function were he recognised their exploits in conquering the continent.
Only nine National Under 20 players led by their captain Panashe Zuze and vice captain Tanaka Gondo Mukandapi coach Shaun De Souza, Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Aaron Jani and the union’s chief executive Sifiso Made attended the event.
The President rallied the team to do the nation proud again by retaining the trophy they won last year.
The Zimbabwe Rugby Union requires about US$150 000 for this competition and also to cover preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.
“The team deserves support in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of excelling as a sporting nation,” said President Emerson Mnangagwa.
“As President and the entire nation, we are rallying behind you at this stage, which is also a qualifier tournament for the Under-20 World Cup. We will support you and support your financial request,” said Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also appreciated the roles that sports is playing to the country in economic development and empowering the youths.
He also urged the players to stay away from drug and substance abuse that is rampant among the youths.
“I urge you to remain focused and refrain from using drugs and illicit substances. I further exalt you as youths in sport to embrace our national philosophy of “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo,” he said.