WASHINGTON —
The inaugural 2013 World Cup for Children from Care Homes kicks off in Warsaw, Poland, this weekend.
Zimbabwe will be represented by eight young players drawn from local children’s homes, who are expected to join 30 teams in the two-day tournament.
The tournament was organised by a European-based group, The Hope For Euro Association, which invited the Zimbabwean team to take part in the tournament.
Kutting Edge Sport Consultancy, managing consultant Maimba Mapuranga, together with the social services department, organized Zimbabwe’s participation in the tournament.
Mapuranga says his company is, however, still looking for sponsorship to secure boots and track suits for the team that leaves Harare on Thursday.
"We are praying that we will be able to get four remaining tickets for our officials travelling with the team as well as kits and boots for the eight members," said Mapuranga.
He noted that organizers of the tournament will take care of the team while it is in Poland.
Mapuranga said he was honoured by the invitation for Zimbabwe to attend the tournament as it was a clear testament of the organiser's faith in the country's ability to put together a strong team for the event.
"We were able to put together a team of five girls and three boys drawn from nine homes countrywide who will form joint teams to represent the country. The mixed team is a way of promoting unity among both sexes," said Mapuranga.
He hopes that Zimbabwe will one day be able to host such an international tournament.
Zimbabwe will be represented by eight young players drawn from local children’s homes, who are expected to join 30 teams in the two-day tournament.
The tournament was organised by a European-based group, The Hope For Euro Association, which invited the Zimbabwean team to take part in the tournament.
Kutting Edge Sport Consultancy, managing consultant Maimba Mapuranga, together with the social services department, organized Zimbabwe’s participation in the tournament.
Mapuranga says his company is, however, still looking for sponsorship to secure boots and track suits for the team that leaves Harare on Thursday.
"We are praying that we will be able to get four remaining tickets for our officials travelling with the team as well as kits and boots for the eight members," said Mapuranga.
He noted that organizers of the tournament will take care of the team while it is in Poland.
Mapuranga said he was honoured by the invitation for Zimbabwe to attend the tournament as it was a clear testament of the organiser's faith in the country's ability to put together a strong team for the event.
"We were able to put together a team of five girls and three boys drawn from nine homes countrywide who will form joint teams to represent the country. The mixed team is a way of promoting unity among both sexes," said Mapuranga.
He hopes that Zimbabwe will one day be able to host such an international tournament.
