Sports / Rugby
Mugabe honours Zimbabwe rugby team
22 Aug 2011 at 15:47hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe has recognized the efforts of the Zimbabwe Under 19 National Rugby Team which he described as the "unsung heroes" for achieving much victories since 2007 and yet receiving very little national recognition.
The ever victorious Under 19 rugby schoolboys' team who have achieved much sporting excellence ranging from the two Junior World Rugby trophies, which earned them the Zimbabwe premier team of the year for 2007, 2009 and 2010 finally got their chance of appreciation from the country's first citizen at State House.
Welcoming the team, Mugabe thanked the schoolboys for raising Zimbabwe's flag high, describing them as unsung heroes after taking so long to get this recognition that other sports victors have been getting.
"Your victory perhaps was not publicised sufficiently and so you remain victors who are known to themselves, victors who remain unsung.
"We sing the songs of those who win soccer and others because the sport is so obvious, but I wonder why our rugby is not that obvious," said President Mugabe.
The President also handed the team $50 000 as his token of appreciation sourced from ECOBANK.
With only five elite schools representing the team, Mugabe further challenged the sports authorities to take the initiative to popularise the so-called minority sport throughout Zimbabwe.
Team Captain, Shawn Linfield then presented Mugabe with a sables bag, national team cap, rugby jersey and ball signed by the Under 19 squad.
A treat capped proceedings as the team mingled with His Excellence and even had an opportunity for a group shot with him.
The ever victorious Under 19 rugby schoolboys' team who have achieved much sporting excellence ranging from the two Junior World Rugby trophies, which earned them the Zimbabwe premier team of the year for 2007, 2009 and 2010 finally got their chance of appreciation from the country's first citizen at State House.
Welcoming the team, Mugabe thanked the schoolboys for raising Zimbabwe's flag high, describing them as unsung heroes after taking so long to get this recognition that other sports victors have been getting.
"Your victory perhaps was not publicised sufficiently and so you remain victors who are known to themselves, victors who remain unsung.
The President also handed the team $50 000 as his token of appreciation sourced from ECOBANK.
With only five elite schools representing the team, Mugabe further challenged the sports authorities to take the initiative to popularise the so-called minority sport throughout Zimbabwe.
Team Captain, Shawn Linfield then presented Mugabe with a sables bag, national team cap, rugby jersey and ball signed by the Under 19 squad.
A treat capped proceedings as the team mingled with His Excellence and even had an opportunity for a group shot with him.
Source - zbc
