Celebration hires top squash coach
CELEBRATION International School of Harare has roped in a top squash coach for the development of its junior players.
The idea to expose young students to squash is the brainchild of both Celebration International School’s authorities and one of the country’s best squash coaches, Mashumba Mukumba.
It is a development that Mukumba believes will help to produce a wholesome student capable of developing a healthy lifestyle as well as becoming leading lights in the promotion of the sport around Zimbabwe. “It’s not a secret that squash is not well-known or popular like other sporting disciplines like soccer but there are vast opportunities to be exploited in the sport.
“Squash is a demanding sport in which a player dives, leaps and runs for the ball, hence improves cardiovascular health, agility, fitness and strength.
“Above all, it’s a sport through which one can represent the country in major international events,” said Mukumba.
He said the experience he gained from travelling around the world made him realise the need for squash development back home and believes his partnership with Celebration International School will take the sport to greater heights.
“I have been far and near with this sport, I’ve been to places like Hong Kong, South Africa, Namibia and Denmark, Poland and the United States gathering knowledge, rubbing shoulders with great players and coaches from around the world and it is that experience I bring on the table.
“One good thing I realised is, students like Colin Mutevhani, Immanuel Matanga and Ivan Mapika are fast learners, disciplined and enthusiastic and with that attitude our partnership will blossom.
“We hope to join the active schools league played by most private schools early next year and sending children to participate in the Mashonaland and Zimbabwe Squash Championships,’’ said Mukumba.
The school’s board, added that it was their desire as a reputable learning institution to add squash and tennis to their wide range of sporting activities to complement their excellent tuition.
For long, the school has been known for academic excellence and sport like athletics, but the board of directors saw it fit to reinforce that with complementing sporting activities like squash and tennis.
According to the internationally respected Forbes magazine, squash is rated as the healthiest sport ahead of activities like swimming, cycling and basketball.