Mr Ugly finals set for Friday

This year's edition of Mr Ugly finals is set for City Sports Bar on Friday with $1 500 on the line.

Started five years ago, the Mr Ugly contest attracted a lot of interest locally and abroad.

It is not normal to celebrate ugliness when others thrive on beauty.

But two years ago, the hype around the competition saw the crown being snatched by William Masvinu (pictured) , although there was not much to talk about in terms of sponsorship.

Last year, the organisers seemed to have outdone themselves and said they had secured US$10 000 prize money for the competition, but it failed to take off.

A total of $1 500 prize money for the competitions  has been secured.

"We were unfortunate because most of our sponsors could not commit themselves to the pageant because of their focus at the UNWTO build-up. We were planning to have a bigger contest," said David Machowa.

The top prize includes two nights for two at the Executive Hotel and a beast that is expected to be delivered alive to the winner.

He said plans are underway to expand the pageant beyond Zimbabwean boarders into the Sadc region