Gare High School won the Shurugwi New Horizon rural schools soccer tournament held at Gamwa School on Friday.

Gare prevailed 3-1 in the final over Gato High School in a tournament participated by secondary schools in the rural Shurugwi district. For their efforts, Gare High School were given a football kit, balls, tracksuits and boots worth $2 000.00.

Dubbed the Shurugwi New Horizon tournament, as a way of giving a new lease of life to rural youths, the tournament is a brainchild of South Africa based Zimbabwean Osherd Mtunami.

“There is a lot of talent in the rural areas but it has gone to waste because it is not exposed. So this tournament is aimed at giving these youngsters a platform to showcase their talent thus the name Shurugwi New Horizon.

That’s the reason why we have also invited coaches from teams in the Midlands province and Masvingo,” said Mtunami.

Mtunami told SportsZone that the tournament will be bigger and better next year to include girls’ soccer as he was buoyed by the participation of the Mighty Warriors at the just ended Rio 2016 Olympics.

“We are negotiating with some sponsors so that we have girls soccer as well. I was thrilled by their display at the Olympics and also reading stories of players like Mavis Chirandu how they overcame challenges and helped Zimbabwe qualify for the Olympics.

“So we also want to unearth the hidden talents in Shurugwi and see them play for the country in the near future,” he added.

There were individual prizes for the top goal scorer, player of the tournament and goalkeeper of the tournament with each getting a tracksuit, soccer boots and a school uniform.

The tournament was graced by scouts from teams in the Midlands province including Chapungu, Shabanie Mine, FC Platinum and Masvingo City