Cllrs Chiteme, Kurauone and Musekiwa who formed part of the Journos-Cllrs team at half time
…Mayor pledges World Press Freedom Day tourney
TellZim Reporter
MASVINGO – A soccer match played at the Masvingo provincial show grounds between Great Zimbabwe University’s (GZU) press club and a combined journalists – councillors’ team as part of World Press Freedom Day celebrations ended with a 6 – 5 win in favour of the media students.
The yearly event will, however, never be the same again after City of Masvingo Mayor Hubert Fidze pledged to sponsor a trophy from next year going forward.
Fidze said he was pleased with the soccer match and called for a four-team tournament next year to improve competition and mobilise more support to the campaign for media freedom.
“This is good. I am humbled by the interaction which is brought about during the World Press Freedom celebrations every year.
“I am challenging the organisers to increase competition by adding two more teams competing for a trophy which I will sponsor form next year onwards,” said Fidze.
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter Masvingo provincial chairperson, Golden Maunganidze said he was heartened by the mayor’s pledge and will work to make sure any plan which seeks to help the cause for press freedom becomes a success.
“We welcome the support we are being given by our stakeholders and I am pleased that the Mayor of Masvingo, His Worship Cllr Hubert Fidze has demonstrated his commitment to supporting press freedom,” said Maunganidze.
The match seemed to be going against the GZU team in the first minutes but the students were sly enough to turn the tide against the journalists – councillors’ team later on.
The seemingly small GZU boys dubbed “Mabhinya” gave their competitors a run for their money by netting two goals in the opening minutes.
The referee, Energy Bara was in top form, wasting no time to punish unfair play from any side.
John Mubayi, Givemore Nyakuba, Raymond Zarurai and Tinaani Nyabereka played hard to ensure GZU led by five goals with their opponents struggling to add to their two first half goals.
The GZU team, however, began losing steam towards the end of the match after the journalist-councillors’ team coach Tonderai Saharo brought in TellZim News editor Passmore Kuzipa and Upenu Chaota.sport
