Milton Manyangadze, Redmark Group Operations Director (pics by Daphne Machiri)
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The inaugural Redmark Group Squash Open has been hailed as an important step towards the development and growth of squash in Zimbabwe, with almost 50 players taking part in the two-day tournament held at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare.
The tournament, which ran from August 7 to 8, was organised by the Zimbabwe Education Squash Trust (ZEST) in partnership with the Belgravia Squash Academy, with sponsorship from Redmark Group.
Players competed across various age groups, from the Under-11 category through to the Open section, providing young and upcoming players with an opportunity to test their skills against more experienced opponents.
Redmark Group Operations Director, Milton Manyangadze said the company was proud to support an event that brings together young people through sport while creating an opportunity for the growth of squash.
“Firstly, I would like to thank all those who made this tournament possible, coming in to sponsor squash, a fairly small sport in Zimbabwe, but with a lot of potential to grow,” said Manyangadze.
“We are trying to bolster sportsmanship within the kids, camaraderie and friendship. It’s a great way to do it, from the under 11 all the way to Open. We are just happy to be part of the process here, to help kids come together through sports.”
His comments come at a time when squash continues to seek greater corporate support and investment to increase participation and create more competitive opportunities for players.
ZEST Director Mashumba Mukumba
ZEST Director Mashumba Mukumba said the successful staging of the tournament had provided a strong foundation for the organisation to increase participation and recruit more young players into the sport.
“We have just finished the Redmark Squash Open Tournament. So this tournament went very well and we are looking forward to get more numbers in future as we grow the numbers. And we are looking forward to recruit more youth who will be participating in these kind of tournaments,” Mukumba said.
He said sponsorship was critical to the development of squash, particularly in providing young players with access to equipment, training and competitive opportunities.
“Redmark Group is sponsoring this tournament as a way of promoting squash growth because in Zimbabwe, we have been struggling to get squash going because of sponsorship.
“And I think in every sport, when it comes to sponsorship, if you don’t have support, if you don’t have inspiration, it means there’s no growth. So, Redmark is trying its best to give us an opportunity to grow the sport.”
Mukumba said ZEST had been working to introduce children from high-density suburbs and surrounding communities to squash, providing them with training and equipment as part of efforts to make the sport more accessible.
“We have developed as Zimbabwe Education Squash Trust because we have been taking kids from high-density suburbs and some of the kids who are from the surrounding area and we groom them.
“We are providing them with equipment, squash rackets, squash balls, we give them free training. Then we look for assistance from different people like well-wishers, club members or any other people from anywhere around squash circles.”
Mukumba said the decision to approach corporate organisations such as Redmark Group was driven by the need to create sustainable support for the sport.
“Because Redmark chairman, Mathew Manyangadze, is also a squash player. He has been into squash for some time and then he is looking forward to assist us in growing the sport,” Mukumba said.
The tournament also received appreciation from players, who welcomed the opportunity to compete in a structured event while interacting with other squash players.
Participants said tournaments of this nature were important in improving their competitiveness, exposing junior players to higher levels of competition and motivating more young people to take up squash.
The players also welcomed the involvement of corporate sponsors, saying increased investment in the sport could result in more tournaments, better access to equipment and greater opportunities for emerging talent.
ZEST said it hoped the Redmark Group Squash Open would become an annual fixture and grow in size as more players and sponsors come on board.
Mukumba also expressed appreciation to Belgravia Sports Club for making its facilities available at a reasonable cost, noting that access to quality courts remained an important component in the development of the sport.
“So I truly appreciate and I thank everyone for coming and participating in the tournament. And hopefully in future we have more numbers, more and more numbers,” he said.
With almost 50 players taking part in its inaugural edition, organisers believe the Redmark Group Squash Open has provided a solid platform from which to build, while demonstrating the potential of partnerships between sporting organisations and the corporate sector to grow squash in Zimbabwe.
Winners got varing prices, including medals, cash and squash rackets and squash balls.
Redmark Group Squash Open winners
U11 Girls.
1. Kiara Varie
2. Molly William
3. Gabrielle Chikuhwa
U11 Boys
1. Lewin Njekezana
2. Alex Varie
3. Sebastian Home
Boys U13
1.Luke Francis
2.Elijah Horne
3.Taurai Mundoza
Boys U19
1. Taryn Mavhudzi
2. Malachi Osuji
3. Godfrey Muchara
Ladies Open
1. Polite Mubure
2. Heather Hudebwe
3. Nyaradzo Muwando
Men Open
1. Brett Rayners
2. Talent Jambo
3. Roy Jambo
Most improved player
Ruvarashe Zengeya
Most committed player
Divine Mushati
