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Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
NOW that the NASH Under-20 football tournament has finally found a sponsor in Proton Bakers and Surrey Group, preparations by schools in Manicaland have gone into overdrive to try and win the tourney.

The two companies — Proton Bakers and Surrey Group — are sponsoring the 2017 edition to the tune of $5 000.

The sponsorship was officially unveiled by the Minister of Sports and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane in Harare on Friday.

Proton Bakers sales and marketing manager Simba Bodzo said the provincial winners will get trophies.

“Provincial winners will get trophies. At national level, all semi-finalists will be given branded kits. The losing team in the finals will walk away with $500 cash while the winning team walks away with a trophy and $ 800.

“We will also award shields to the player of the tournament, most disciplined team, top goalscorer and ‘keeper of the tournament.

“As Proton Bakers, we have always been key players in supporting various sporting disciplines in Zimbabwe from schools right through to the national level.

“It is our first time to work with the NASH Under-20s.

“We supported the Lady Cheetahs’ Dublin Ireland tour in 2016. We have also worked with Charles Manyuchi, Mr and Ms ZITF 2017, Bulawayo mini soccer tournament, ZTISU Games 2017 and Bulawayo Pool Association Tournament,” he said.

Manicaland provincial NASH head in charge of football, Joseph Machuwaire, said the teams were going through their zonal and district games.

He added that the provincial finals will be held at Chibuwe in Chipinge.

“The Games are starting from zonal to districts then provincials before the national finals. We will have our provincial finals at Chibuwe secondary school in Chipinge on September 29. The finals are at Hippo Valley from October 6-8.

“We are urging all the districts to work very hard and prepare for this tournament. We also hope to have a team that will do well in Hippo Valley,” he said.