The Mukarakate community in Murehwa South constituency was last weekend treated to a hive of football activity as eight teams took to the pitch in a football and netball tournament jointly organised by two sons of Mashonaland East province.
In football, Macheke triumphed over seven other competitors that included Gumbanjera, Waterloo, Virginia, Manyange, Mukarakate, St Peters and Athrone, while on the netball side, Karumazondo were the ultimate winners over Chibanda, Chinhenga, Jekwa and Athrone.
Marshall Gore, currently resident in London, but hailing from Goromonzi and Ireland-based Forward Nyanyiwa pooled resources together to bring sporting entertainment to the sports-starved corner of Murehwa.
Hundreds turned up to cheer up their kin and kith in what one female supporter, Rhoda Musvibe, described as a rare spectacle.
Gore, a former footballer and administrator, has since expressed his intentions to run for the highest office of domestic football, the Zifa presidency, whose elections are around the corner.
He has vowed to make the development of grassroots football a top priority with an annual tournament in his Goromonzi district having been a regular fixture on his calendar.
On the other hand, Nyanyiwa has taken it upon himself, too, to bring sporting entertainment to his rural homestead where a lot still needs to be done to bring it to the same.levels with various other rural setups across the country.
Through his Forward Nyanyiwa Foundation, he has been able to bankroll a primary schools tournament, with a subsequent event for the much older members of the community taking part in Sunday's tournament.
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"For me, it's my small way of ploughing back to a community that raised me,” Nyanyiwa said.
“Growing up in Mukarakate had its plethora of challenges that made it practically difficult for us to pursue careers such as football because we did not have the relevant facilities to do so.
"Rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Umbro and Gidiza was something we could only dream of.
"So my wish is to see more young people from this hood make it to the grand football arenas and eke a living out of playing soccer.
"l have thus taken it upon myself - through the FNF - to make available football equipment that includes soccer balls and kits. “We have established a club that we will soon affiliate in the higher divisions so that the local community has the chance to enjoy sport in their own backyard.”
While UK-based Jordan Zemura is a sole name that quickly comes to mind when Mukarakate is being talked about, the formation of a community league remains a far-cry. However with the determination of Nyanyiwa and Gore, there are high hopes that football will soon be a favourite pastime for many residents there.
Two football legends - Ronald "Gidiza" Sibanda and his former Warriors compatriot, Gift "Umbro" Muzadzi were present as special guests at Sunday's tournament to bring inspiration to the younger rural folk who aspire to take up soccer as a career.
