The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND junior football standards pacesetters — Manicaland Juniors of Excellence Academy (MAJESA) — are on a talent scouting mission across all corners of the province.
On Africa Day, the MAJESA administration and technical team were in Chimanimani West where they took time to watch a community football tournament hosted by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Nokuthula Matsikenyere.
The academy director, Charles Chave admitted that their visit to Chimanimani West unearthed some unpolished gems.
Matsikenyere, who is also the Member of the House of Assembly for Chimanimani West, hosted the football tournament in her constituency as way of celebrating Africa Day.
Hundreds of villagers gathered at Tonhorai Primary School grounds where four teams participated in the soccer competition.
Hosts, Tonhorai emerged victorious after beating Hardbody 4-2 in the dreaded penalty lottery.
Chave admitted that the Africa Day Tournament in Chimanimani West showed the abundance of football talent in marginalised communities.
“I think it is clear that we have talented players in remote areas, but there has been a gap in terms of giving a platform to these talented youngsters to shine. Our system and management of football in this country in recent years has deprived these youngsters of a fair chance to progress with their chosen careers. As MAJESA, we are geared to play our part as a responsible corporate citizen in developing talent in marginalised areas.
“We also want to urge those managing football in this country to spare a thought for those in marginalised areas. This is where we can get more talent to augment that which we have in urban settings. The good thing is that we have a national leadership that made it clear that no one should be left behind in the development discourse,” said Chave.
The soft spoken MAJESA owner also handed over two complete football kits, three match balls and a MAJESA tracksuit to Matsikenyere.
The player-of-the-tournament award was won by Dickson Shangwa.
Shangwa’s many turns and ball control skills earned the attention and admiration of MAJESA and the academy could not resist inviting the utility player for trials in Mutare.
MAJESA technical director, Samson Kabwe said: “We will invite their player of the tournament for trials in Mutare. He is a good player and we want our coaches to have a look at him.”
Addressing the participants and supporters during the prize giving ceremony of the tournament, Matsikenyere urged youths to stay away from drugs.
“We really want to urge our youths to stay away from drugs. This destroys their lives and future. We have talented youths in our country who have various areas of expertise but somehow most of them are falling victim to drug abuse. This is the reason why we are hosting these tournaments so that those that are good in sports can showcase their talents and get the necessary help they need to progress with their careers,” said Matsikenyere.
During the Africa Day Tournament, the top three teams received soccer kits and balls.
Matsikenyere also handed over start-up inputs for poultry projects to all traditional leaders in Chimanimani West.
