DELTA Beverages, through their Lion Lager brand, might be yet to confirm the sponsorship for this season’s National Rugby League (NRL), but the season is set to get underway this weekend with action-packed encounters scheduled for Harare and Bulawayo on Saturday.
BY SPORTS REPORTER
Noddy Kanyangarara, the NRL chairman told NewsDay Sport that the league would go ahead this weekend as scheduled while they continue negotiations for sponsorship for the new season.
“The National Rugby League will get underway this weekend as scheduled although without a sponsor as we are still negotiating with Delta Beverages.
“We are still hopeful that they will renew their sponsorship of the league following the expiry of the three year contract we had with them last season,” Kanyangarara said.
Reigning champions Old Hararians, who last season won their first national championship since 2005 will, however, have to wait until next week to start their title defence as they have a bye this weekend.
The focus this weekend will be on last season’s losing finalists Old Georgians, who will open their campaign with a fairly easy encounter against newly-promoted Mutare Sports Club at Harare Sports Club.
Old Georgians, who lost 29-27 to Old Hararians in the final last year, have worked hard during the off-season having started their preparation way back in January.
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The Grant Mitchell-coached Groombridge-based side also warmed up for the new season in style by doing well in the Seven’s Summer Series.
Former champions Harare Sports Club will also be heavily tipped to win their opening encounter against Zvishavane Bulls.
Meanwhile, in other matches Matabeleland Busters face a tricky opening encounter against an unpredictable Gweru Sports Club at Hartsfield before Old Miltonians and Western Panthers clash in a local derby at the same venue.
National Rugby League Week One Fixtures: Old Georgians v Mutare Sports Club, Harare Sports Club v Zvishavane Bulls (Harare Sports Club), Matabeleland Busters v Gweru Sports Club, Old Miltonians v Western Panther (Hartsfield Rugby Grounds). *Old Hararians bye
