BMT Rugby Festival Wraps Up in Style as Old Hararians Edge Sports Club in Final

By Desire Tshuma

Nyabira — The BMT Rugby Festival at Lord Brighton College came to a thrilling close on Saturday, with Old Hararians clinching the title after a hard-fought final against Sports Club in front of a packed crowd.

The week-long tournament drew top school sides from across the country, showcasing junior and senior talent in the U14, U16 and 1st XV categories. The final day featured a full slate of deciders, with the host Lord Brighton College taking on Prince Edward High School in one of the closing fixtures that officially brought the tournament to an end.

The festival, bankrolled by title sponsor BMT Holdings, was hailed by coaches and parents as a major boost for school rugby development in Zimbabwe.

After the final whistle, host Lord Brighton College rolled out the red carpet, treating parents, teachers, sponsors, and partners to a massive cocktail on the school grounds. Guests included representatives from Discovery Ambulance Services, Star FM radio, and members of the media who covered the tournament throughout the week.

Addressing guests, Lord Brighton College Director, Honourable Brighton Marengureni, expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the event.

“To every team that travelled, every parent who supported, every sponsor who invested, and every volunteer who gave their time — thank you,” Marengureni said. “This tournament was about more than rugby. It was about building character, creating friendships, and giving our young people a platform to grow. BMT Holdings shared that vision with us, and together with partners like Discovery Ambulance Services and Star FM, we delivered something special.”

He added: “To the teachers and coaches, thank you for the hours you put into these boys and girls. To the journalists who told their stories, thank you for making sure their effort is seen. This is how we build a nation — one scrum, one try, one child at a time.”

While the tournament was largely incident-free, organisers confirmed one unfortunate injury. An Entumbane High School student fractured her thigh during play and was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where she is receiving medical assistance.

“We are grateful to Discovery Ambulance Services for their swift response,” Marengureni said. “Our prayers are with the young lady and her family. Aside from that incident, the tournament ran smoothly with no other injuries recorded, thanks to excellent medical cover and discipline from all teams.”

Coaches across the board praised the standard of rugby and organisation. Founders High School coach Ndumiso Tshuma, who brought a team from Bulawayo, described the event as “eye-opening” for his players, while Entumbane High’s coach used the platform to call for more corporate sponsorship in school sport.

Lord Brighton College CEO Mr Douglas Mashiri said the school was proud to host. “As a college, we believe rugby builds character beyond the classroom. Hosting this competition allows us to open our doors and give young players a stage to test themselves,” he said earlier in the week.

With trophies lifted and new rivalries forged, the BMT Rugby Festival has set a high bar for school competitions. As teams head home, the message from Nyabira was clear: the future of Zimbabwean rugby is in good hands.

TOP PIC: Old Hararians Captain receiving trophy, left with striped T-shirt Director of Lord Brighton College Hon Marengureni