Muchapondwa spurs FilChrist to success

HE may be undergoing persecution for his insatiable love for the game yet Jebes Muchapondwa, a man who has in fact transformed more than a 100 young lives in the past two years, sees netball as more than just a game.

The director and principal at FilChrist Hill Boarding, in Shamva never hides his passion for the game.

And the fact that he is married to a netball player makes his life literally revolve the game.

Muchapondwa has in the past two years fielded two teams in the Premier Netball League.

One of the teams, FilChrist ZJC, is made up of form one to three learners while the other one, FilChrist “Future Gems” is made up of seniors from the schools.

FilChrist ZJC were recently crowned the Premier Netball League’s most Improved Team of the year. They are also the reigning Stella — Nash Under-17 Netball National Champions.

The two teams are picked from the more than 50 young girls that were enrolled at the school on fully funded netball scholarships in the past year. Next year, the school will enrol 65 others under the same facility.

And Muchapondwa notes that his love for the sport code goes beyond just the game.

“My passion is in giving a better life to the young girls and I felt that it can best be achieved through sport, netball to be precise,” he said.

“I will not divulge much but my wife is a netball player, we share the same vision, transforming the lives of young girls so we are happy whenever we are at the netball court with the young girls.”

The director who is the sole sponsor of the scholarship program, will see to it that the 65 Netball Scholarships for next year, estimated to be worth at least US$135 000 in school fees are covered.

The scholarship facility is also to be extended to 30 Volleyball players (US$62 000) and 30 others for Handball (US$62 000) per year. Ironically, Muchapondwa has the resources to acquire the best players in the elite league, yet he chooses to invest in young girls.

He believes that sport has the power to curb perennial nagging concerns like drug and substance abuse, early marriages and other social ills hence he gives the young girls and boys a chance to a better future.

“If one person in a household (especially a girl) is empowered they take care of their family unit better and if every family unit is taken care of then the entire nation is safe,” he said.

“However, the journey is never smooth, the young girls need more helping hands, we transport at the school and also to be able to fulfil our fixtures.

“Next year we will be fielding three teams so we need at least a 28-seater vehicle or even something bigger.

“Popular Fitness trainer Zorro-Trained has offered to donate sneakers to the junior team so they kindly need training kits, tuition and boarding fees funding, basic needs at the boarding school, medical supplies and balls.”

The scholarship program has so far drastically changed some known vocal coaches who often criticised the humble yet so ambitious Muchapondwa to his avid followers.

“Some of these girls come from sad backgrounds and without anything to sustain themselves, then we will keep going in circles.

“My heart rejoices when I see them court, doing what they love the most and which to do more next year, God and resources permitting.”