Local women’s volleyball club champions, Raven Claw, have received a major morale and material boost ahead of their participation in the Zone VI Club Championships in Polokwane, South Africa, in December.
Renowned Zimbabwean versatile arts personality, Caroline “Nyaka Chana” Nyaka, a celebrated quintuple threat, handed over a full team kit and a branded gazebo tent to the club last Thursday evening, significantly lightening the financial and logistical burden for the team.
Nyaka Chana, who is known for her work across multiple artistic disciplines, presented the donation to the club during their rigorous training session at the Mandel Training Centre in Harare.
The handover came as Raven Claw, the reigning local champions, steps up preparations for the regional tournament which runs from December 9 to 22 in Polokwane. The club will compete against other champions from the Southern Africa region for a coveted ticket to the prestigious Africa Cup Club Championships.
Speaking at the presentation, Nyaka Chana revealed her personal motivations for the sponsorship, citing a deep-seated passion for women empowerment and the sport itself.
"When I was approached by Ravenclaw management, what really touched me, firstly I love the sport,” she said.
“I thought this is a sport that's not really spoken about but it's really well known worldwide.
"The second reason was the girl child. We know when it comes to sports, there's kind of a stereotype that it’s for men, so I think it's important that our girls get support."
Nyaka Chana contrasted the prevailing cultural expectations for women—to cook, make babies and do certain careers—with the inspiring commitment shown by the athletes.
The arts personality noted the team’s recent success in winning the Breast Cancer Pink October tournament organised by the Harare Volleyball Association as proof of their deserving nature.
Nyaka Chana was particularly moved by the athletes’ dedication, citing students writing exams and players and coaches travelling vast distances—from Bindura and Mutare—for the 5 PM to 8 PM training sessions.
“I have never seen such commitment and it touched my heart. It's just people who need to be supported,” she stated.
The donated gazebo, she added, will ensure the team doesn’t feel the heat when they go to Polokwane, while the kit will allow them to represent their country with pride.
Nyaka Chana affirmed her long-term vision, expressing hope to continue supporting volleyball in the country and seeing the Zimbabwean flag waved at the 2028 Olympics.
Raven Claw Volleyball Club captain, Charity Chikore, expressed the team’s immense gratitude, calling the donation a major boost for their campaign.
"Everyone loves to look good all the time and this is one of the kits we will be wearing so we will wear it with pride," Chikore said.
"We are very happy to know that there are people, who are supporting us as Ravenclaw Volleyball Club."
Chikore confirmedthat the team was working extremely hard to conquer in South Africa, training tirelessly despite many players balancing the sport with work or studies.
She set out the club's ambition: winning the tournament to qualify for the continental championships.
"The big dream is to win the Club Africa Cup," she stated.
"I have been there four times losing in the group stages, but this time we hope we will make the semis or finals if we qualify.
“But we are working hard to make that dream come true."
With the backing of a high-profile personality like Nyaka Chana and a renewed sense of national pride, Raven Claw will now head to Polokwane hoping to bring the Zone VI title—and the opportunity for African glory—back home.
