The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
YOUTH, Sport, Art and Recreation Deputy Minister, Honourable Tino Machakaire, has challenged Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to unveil district-based soccer leagues as conduits to tap into rural and peri-urban zones talent.
Machakaire made the remarks on the sidelines of the Shepard Nyika Tournament finals at Vengere Stadium on Sunday.
The tourney pitted Parmnart FC and Chimbi Source in the finals, while Settlers FC and 3.2 Infantry Battalion fought for the third and fourth spots respectively.
Panmart FC, bankrolled by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mangudya, beat Chimbi Source 2-0 to win the trophy and US$1 000 cash.
Chibi Source walked away with US$500.
Machakaire said ZIFA must spread its tentacles to target young players in rural areas.
“I congratulate the sponsor, Shepard Nyika for organising such a captivating tournament, and reviving football in a great way. Such initiatives are good for the country as children are exposed to sports at an early stage. They can earn honest living out of it at a tender age. Football authorities need to leverage on these platforms so as to create equal opportunities for all talented youngsters in marginalised areas to thrive.
“We have abundant talent in rural areas which they must prioritise through cheaper zonal leagues. We also want rural schools to be given a chance to participate in sporting genres that give them exposure.
“We need all provinces and districts to embrace this vision to promote various sporting genres. Sport is a lucrative avenue to extricate talented youngsters out of poverty, drug abuse and other irresponsible behaviours. We need a mechanism to identify their talents, develop and polish it so that they eke a living out of it,” he said.
Machakaire said besides playing soccer, youngsters will also be imparted with cultural values that include etiquettes of respect to each other, maintaining discipline, team work and solidarity.
It is anticipated that in the next few years, Rusape, which has no competitive football teams and leagues, will breed competent footballers, while building an inventory for the national team.
The project has come at the right time as youthful players are useful in gradually replenishing the group of the ageing crop of players in the town.
Promotion of the game at grassroots is the only option should Rusape need to attain national and international football excellence.
Nyika said he was motivated to help talented, but disadvantaged players display their enthusiasm for soccer.
As part of the promotional package, Nyika doled out merchandise like soccer jerseys, boots and balls to the teams.
“Rusape has no local competitive football, and we have to change that perspective because we are endowed with talent within the district. The youngsters have amazing skills and are a marvel to watch. All we need to do is to work together to develop and polish such talent so that they can rise on the sporting horizon.
“The ultimate objective is to have two competitive league teams, one in the top-tier league and a feeder club in the lower division so that everyone can compete at the same age. I am encouraging players to take sporting seriously because it is a form of employment and means of livelihood. Whatever resources required will be availed to make this project a success,” he said.
The initiative has been hailed as a positive move given a sad backdrop of the dearth of football in the town, which was ignited by the collapse of Grain Masters seven years ago.
Businessman, Moses Mikundi is keen to inject a fortune to see the dream come true.
“It is a positive development, and serious players should grab this opportunity. We need like-minded people to coalesce so that we develop players and the spirit of competitiveness among them.
“We have a similar tournament in Headlands on October 10, and we need to form a league to keep this pool of talented players active and focused. We definitely need competitive football in the district, and this is a great stride towards its rebirth,” said Mikundi.
