PETRA High School student Estelle Stambolie was named the most promising Junior Player of the Year (Women) at the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (Haz) Annual Awards held at Old Miltonians Club at the weekend and immediately won plaudits from outgoing Education, Sport Arts and Culture minister David Coltart.
Report by Fortune Mbele
Stambolie, together with two other former Petra students, Melissa Sibanda and Chelsea Louw, were subsequently enlisted into the national women’s hockey squad after the Haz Cup tournament.
The national team will be representing the country in the World Series to be hosted by Zimbabwe next September on condition that Magamba Hockey Stadium in Harare is refurbished on time.
Coltart on Monday hailed Stambolie for winning the award.
“Hearty congratulations to BAC women’s team for winning the HAZ Cup (the top club competition in Zimbabwe) at the Khumalo Stadium on Saturday. I am particularly delighted by the performance of Petra High School student Estelle Stambolie and the fact that she won the most promising junior player in Zimbabwe,” Coltart said.
Hippo Valley, who won the men’s final after thrashing neighbours Rams 7-1, dominated the accolades after scooping the Sports Team of the Year award while Donald Mutupo, who grabbed a hat trick in the final, was named the Sportsman of the Year.
Arnold Mpofu, also of Hippo, walked away with the Juniors Sportsman of the Year and while teammate Luckson Sikisa won the Most Promising Junior Player of the Year. Kristina Manolios of Scorpions grabbed the Sportswoman of the Year award while Stephanie Campbell of Harare was honoured with the Junior Sportswoman of the Year award.
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Haz also honoured technical officials with Matabeleland Hockey Board’s Kalpesh Parshotam being named the Administrator of the Year, Ginny Ross, the Official of the Year and Cynthia Louw, the Volunteer of the Year.
Nicky Watson of Bulawayo won the President’s Award for 2012 with Harare’s Kevin Whatmann taking this year’s award.
