Sipapate’s mouth-watering double Gabriel Sipapate has been awarded a full scholarship by KwaZulu Natal-based Sharks Academy of South Africa
Gabriel Sipapate has been awarded a full scholarship by KwaZulu Natal-based Sharks Academy of South Africa

Gabriel Sipapate has been awarded a full scholarship by KwaZulu Natal-based Sharks Academy of South Africa

Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
PROMISING talented prop Gabriel Sipapate’s hard work as a junior rugby player has finally paid off, getting him a double dose of achievement and he is now walking proudly as a young man full of happiness.
Sipapate has been awarded a full scholarship by KwaZulu Natal-based Sharks Academy of South Africa, where he is expected to join the fancied rugby academy next January.

The Churchill Bulldogs front-rower was also selected to be one of the players who are going to represent the country in the Confederation of African Rugby Under-19 tournament set for Namibia towards the end of this month.

The Junior Africa Cup also doubles up as the Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament qualifier, with the team that finishes tops among the four getting the sole ticket to the following year’s world stage jamboree.

Doing his final Ordinary Levels at the Eastlea-based school, Sipapate has been playing rugby for the past three years, showing high levels of commitment to the sport where he is always present for training and matches.

With the help and support from his coach Jeff Madhake, Sipapate has achieved his dream, which he said he knew he was going to get someday because he is committed to the sport.

“Well, I am very happy that I have made it. It has always been my dream to play in the Zimbabwe team, it is true that hard work pays in the end and it is through hard work and the support that I get from my coaches, especially  coach Madhake.

“Next year I am going to Sharks (academy). I am really glad that I have all these opportunities which I wouldn’t want to waste.
“I will definitely make good use of them,” said Sipapate.

Sipapate’s talent was discovered during the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival, which was held in April at Prince Edward School in Harare.
Churchill coach Madhake described Sipapate as a player with a lot of talent, who can fit in any position at international level.

“Sipapate is a good player with a lot of talent, he can fit anywhere internationally. When he got selected for the Under-19 team, we were happy for him and getting the scholarship is also the best thing for him but he must be focused.

“He has the talent and focus at present and I am encouraging him that if he wants to fulfil his dreams, he must concentrate on his career and not on drinking (beer), smoking and having girlfriends.

“He can become the country’s best prop player if he remains dedicated to his rugby career,” said Madhake.
And this afternoon, Sipapate will be in the hooped purple and white jersey as the Bulldogs take on their bitter rivals Prince Edward Tigers at the famous Nigel Phillip Avenue Ground in Eastlea.

The Bulldogs are among the top performers this season, having lost only two matches so far and Madhake believes they are going to give the Tigers, who also have a stronger side, a good run for their money.

“I am confident that we are going to give PE a good run (for their money). Our scrums are looking good and we are hoping to dominate in the front though  the backline are not very good but they are fine.

“Basically, we have a good team for our last fixture and we are looking forward to it,” said Madhake.
Meanwhile, seven weeks after Churchill were accused of age-cheating, the school’s authorities have responded by saying: “Churchill High School neither condones nor practises such unethical practices such as age-cheating.

“As a professional institution, we remain stalwart in our resolve to offer meaningful challenge in the spirit of Olympism to develop young talent into world-class sports persons.”

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