Day 2: Jiji back to his roots

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
KYLE College rugby back-line coach Charles Jiji says his move to join the Masvingo elite school was all about developing talent in his hometown.
His side is expected to take on giants St Georges College in the final game of the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival.
Jiji, who returned into the country early this year after a three year stint in England believes there was no better way of making a return from Hurtpury College than tis.
The Sables and Old Hararians scrumhalf feels most of the provinces in Zimbabwe are being neglected and this is humpering the development of the game.
“I was born and raised in Masvingo, it is my hometown and i feel there is a lot of potential in the province as there are a number of players that have gone on to represent the nation.
“But it is unfortunate that most of the coaches tend to concentrate on Harare schools this ignoring the talent that loes in other towns and provinces.
“So this is whay pushed me to go on and make sure I, in some way, contibute to the society that got me where I am today,” said Jiji.
Of late Cheetahs and Sables winger Tafadzwa Chitokwindo and Jiji have gone on to play for the senior national teams.
The duo were part of the Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby side that played at the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Russia four years ago and are some of the players that have come through the junior teams.
At Kyle Jiji is working together with Les Mangondo who is the forwards coach and he feels they are usimg the festival as their entry into the season.
“We are happy to be playing Georges today because last year they were the team to beat so this is going to put us under a lot of pressure and test our strength to the limit.
“This is going to be our first game of the season and unlike most of the teams we compete against, we did mot go on tour this year.
“So there are still some hickups, we are still to find rythm and trying to jell but i am sure as the week progresses we will be a better team.
“There are aboit five players in our side from last years team, we have  another three who were part of the Under-17 side that took part at the Grant Khomo festival in South Africa last year so we are decent,” said Jiji