Christmas is the time to take a rest from the daily routine and to have time with family, relatives, and friends, and sportspersons too have taken the opportunity to refresh.
Some have stayed at home with their families but most have travelled to their rural areas to be with those they have not seen in a long time.
From 2020, traveling even during Christmas was restricted due to the threat of COVID-19 but now that the threat has subsided, the desire to travel has increased.
However, Zimbabwe’s World Boxing Council silver belt title holder Kudakwashe Chiwandire jokingly says she is too broke to travel.
“I am too broke to go out. I will be indoors and then go for training. There is no holiday for me,” says Chiwandire who is preparing for her WBC gold belt title fight against Yemilethi Mercado of Mexico.
Old Hararians rugby team coach Dereck Chiware says they have given their players the time to forget all about rugby and be with their families
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“We are encouraging our players to take what we call active rest. We are giving them time to be with their loved ones, then after New Year’s Day, it will be back to business, “reveals Chiware.
Chiware himself has a simple holiday programme, “This is the time to party with the family and our loved ones. I will be at home with the family having a braai,” he said jokingly.
Caps United striker and 2022 Castle Soccer Star of the Year Award first runner up and the local Premiership’s top goal scorer William Manhondo says after a grueling season, he is enjoying his holidays.
“I am enjoying my holiday. After all that time traveling all around the country, I am at home with my family,” says Manhondo, who scored 17 goals, two ahead of Walter Musona of FC Platinum.
Kudzai Mashawi, the captain of the Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens team, the Cheetahs, says they are coming together as a family for a gathering over lunch.
“We are coming together as the Mashawis for lunch on Christmas Day. Then on Boxing Day, we will go out to dish out goodies to those whom we feel they need them,” said Kudzai.
England based Zimbabwe sports journalist Admire Muhimeke is not traveling back home for the holiday. Instead, he will be chilling at home as most families stay indoors in his area of stay during this period.
“My children have travelled to Zimbabwe and I am here only with my wife. Few people in this area move around during this period and as such, we will be chilling at home,” reveals Muhimeke.
Renowned boxing promoter Stalin Mau Mau says he will also be at home with his family while at the same time planning for the year 2023.
“It has been a hectic year in terms of boxing and it’s time to to take a rest and enjoy the holiday. I will be at home with the family for a braai,” said Mau Mau who added that he has plans to stage the first boxing tournament for the year 2023.
However, top Zimbabwean boxer Brendon Denese has different plans.
ese is traveling to his rural home in Masvingo where he will be ‘celebrating my achievements for this year,” he says proudly.
Not to be out done is prominent Dynamos and Zimbabwe Warriors supporter Chris Romario Musekiwa who says he will be celebrating Lionel Messi winning the World Cup. “I will be celebrating what I call perseverance pays. After waiting for so long Messi has finally got what he was missing. It’s a great achievement,” said Musekiwa.
First, however, “My in-laws, my brothers, my sisters, and all members of our family, will gather at my place for a Christmas party,” he said.
With COVID-19 slowly on the decline, many feel that this year’s Christmas holiday will be better and enjoyable than that of the past few years gone by.