CRICKETER and Mashonaland Central primary schools coach Tawanda Damiso (Jnr) is riding high on a wave of success across various disciplines, making him a name to reckon with in the local grassroots sports development arena.
The Bindura Country Club and Mash Central Associate Province cricket all-rounder, a gifted seamer and top-order batsman, has a unique way of balancing both his playing career and coaching with equal measure, producing tangible results.
Recently, Damiso guided the Mashonaland Central Rugby team to a second-place finish at the National Association of Primary Heads games, which concluded in Marondera on July 25.
His team lost to Mashonaland West in the final after negotiating their way past Group B, comprising Manicaland, Bulawayo, Masvingo, and Mashonaland West. In the group stage, Mash Central beat Manicaland 19-14, decimated Bulawayo 30-5, and pummeled Masvingo 36-5 before settling for a scintillating 12-12 draw against Mash West to book their semi-final berth.
The semi-final was equally exhilarating, with Mash Central drawing 22-22 against a determined Mash East side before bagging the match after 14 minutes with a golden try scored by the highly talented Marshall Chimugoro.
Having drained all their energy in the two draws prior to the final, Mash Central again registered another stalemate, 7-7 against eventual champions Mash West.
However, Mash West emerged winners after full time with a golden try.
"As Mash Central coach, I'm happy with our province; we're improving in terms of rugby," Damiso told The Sports Hub.
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"We have developed well; last year we finished in third place out of 10 provinces.
This year, we're number two. This is the first time for us as Mash Central to play in a final, and we did well, giving our all before succumbing to the dreaded golden try.
“This journey wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our revered sponsor, Genesis Smart Sporting Solutions, who provided the players' kits and refreshments during camping."
Away from cricket, Damiso also coaches cricket at Chipindura Primary in his province. Chipindura won this year's third edition of the Annual Energy Park All Stars Cricket Festival, played at Prince Edward School in Harare.
"It was Chipindura Primary School Cricket Academy's first time competing in this prestigious tournament," he added.
"We were divided into two groups, and we were in the group of death, which included cricket powerhouse Crusaders and All Stars Academy. We outclassed the teams in the group to book a place in the final."
In the final, Chipindura faced off against St. Aidan's, the defending champions, in a clash of giants. Bindura District's Chipindura emerged as the winners of the tournament, presented with a floating trophy.
Chipindura also scooped several individual brilliance awards, including best bowler, best fielder, and most valuable player.
Chipindura Primary School Cricket Academy Manager Tawanda Damiso Sr. and academy director Cleven Mberende were overjoyed.
The academy team captain, all-rounder Chimugoro, was voted man of the match for his 42 runs from 14 balls, including six sixes.
