The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
SOCIAL soccer is no longer about potbellied men humorously roaming in the field of play, but a serious enterprise of wellness and social cohesion, no wonder why churches have also adopted the game as a uniting tool.
In the eastern border city, Mutare Urban Churches Soccer League (MUCSL), a Christian soccer league that was formed in 2015 and briefly stopped during the Covid-19 lockdown period, is enabling fellowshipping of believers in Christ through sport irrespective of church differences.
Edmore Katewera, the man in charge of disciplinary issues and fixtures in MUCSL, said: “This initiative, among other advantages, keeps us occupied during weekends, thereby making us relaxed, refreshed and entertained. This also helps youths from indulgence in many social vices.
“It is also important to us in that it keeps the body fit as well as grooming Christian youths through sports. It is meant to woo more people to Christ through fellowshipping with them in these MUCSL games.”
Before the Covid-19 lockdown, MUCSL managed to enlist 18 teams, with some teams from as far as Munyarari, Zimunya and Tsvingwe peri-urban areas.
From Munyarari, there was Munyarari United Methodist Church, Zimunya had Zimunya Roman Catholic Church and from Penhalonga, there was Apostles of Christ International Church.
Katewera said: “Our vision is to expand the league across the country. MUCSL envision the institution of games of all genders and all ages.
“In the long term, we also envision building infrastructure such as stadia to promote Christian sporting.”
To their credit, the MUCSL have managed to have a code of conduct that keeps their league in line with the FIFA regulations.
However, chief among their challenges is lack of funding.
“Lack of funds is our major challenge. It is proving very hard to carry out the vision of the league with the little funds we managed to raise from the affiliation fees that were paid by the teams which are as low as US$15. We will be very grateful if the league secures sponsorship,” said Katewera.
“Many churches and people are unaware of the existence of the churches league which is a major setback for us since it affects us from enlisting many denominations in the league and getting sponsorship.
“It is against this background that MUCSL intends to take the initiative of advertising the league to various churches. The move that Post Sport has made to be in touch with us has greatly touched our hearts,” he added.
The league currently uses schools and public grounds whereby at times there will be clashes if local teams in a competitive league under the auspices of ZIFA wants to use the public grounds.
For the 2022 season, Church of Christ in Zimbabwe were the league champions, while Bethsaida Apostolic Church settled for the bridesmaids’ position and Good Shepherd came third.
Bethsaida Apostolic Church, Church of Christ in Zimbabwe, Reformed Church in Zimbabwe, Heartfelt, ZAOGA and Apostles of Christ International Church (ACIC) are some of the teams currently affiliated with the league.
MUCSL is still in the process of registering new teams and the2023 league season is set to start in a fortnight.
