Published by the government of Zimbabwe
3 July 2009
Harare — THE junior squash development programme in this country received a major boost yesterday when one of its traditional sponsors announced that it was repackaging its sponsorship of the sport in schools this year, Collin Matiza writes.
Clothing and Uniforms, who are a local clothing, footwear, textiles and accessories company, said they were also looking at rebranding the annual Eric Davis tournament to Mick Davis Schools Squash Invitational Championships this year.
Cecil Garapo, the managing director of Clothing and Uniforms, said they were looking at putting together a good sponsorship package for schools' squash this season. "Normally, our sponsorship consists of a floating trophy, T-shirts and caps for the participating schools.
"But this year we are hoping to put together a good package for the schools and this will also see us providing them with rackets and balls. "This is all part of our continued efforts to help in the development of junior squash in local schools," Garapo said.
Garapo's company, through its Mick Davis brand, has been involved in sponsoring schools' squash for more than 15 years. The company's annual tournament, which culminates in the finals, which are played in September or October, attracts a number of squash-playing high schools in this country.
The schools that take part in this tournament include the local schools' squash powerhouse Prince Edward, Gateway, Churchill Boys High, Arundel, Dominican Convent, St George's College, St John's College, Peterhouse, Eaglesvale, Watershed, Heritage and Chisipite.
"So, we are hoping that all these schools will come up with strong teams for this year's Mick Davis Schools Squash Invitational tournament which will be bigger and better this year," Garapo said.
He said this at a small function held in Harare yesterday where his company also donated a formal wear kit to one of the country's top squash coaches Mashumba Mukumba.
Mukumba, who is heavily involved in coaching squash at junior level, will use the kit, which includes a blazer, four formal shirts, two formal and two casual trousers, when coaching young players in local schools and clubs.
The Premier Belgravia Sports Club-based coach was initially supposed to use the kit during the 9th World Squash Coaching and Development Conference, which was held towards the end of May in Hong Kong.
Garapo said they initially intended to give the kit to Mukumba before his departure for the Hong Kong conference but they were unable to do so "due to some logistical problems".
"Now that Mashumba Mukumba is back from this conference, where we believe he acquired some invaluable coaching skills, we also felt that we should come on board and help him in his endeavor to develop squash at junior level in this country hence our contribution today," Garapo said
He said they also hope that Mukumba will impart the knowledge that he gained in Hong Kong to other local coaches who are also involved in coaching squash at grassroots level.
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