The ManicaPost
NEWS that Zifa are set to give a kiss of life to junior football structures around Zimbabwe must have come as sweet music to the ears of many a follower of the game in Mutare and Manicaland.
To that end, by next month the Under-15 provincial leagues are expected to come to life and this has been long overdue. Zifa’s involvement is a welcome development, a step in the right direction and a huge leap going forward which can help seriously sustain this drive because as the old adage goes, “it is better to build children than repair men”.
As such, the prayer is that these initiatives continue to exist because most have, sadly, failed to take off or limped off the radar somewhere along the way owing to a combination of factors which militate against them like lack of resources and funding from development partners as well as eventual apathy from the targeted groups.
The now defunct Bantu Rovers once led the way on this front and churned out some of the biggest names in our national game today, among whom include Marvelous Nakamba, Teenage Hadebe, Danny Phiri and Kuda Mahachi.
Closer to home passionate youth coach Timothy “Sicho” Masache’s La Sakubva project is championing the honing of the skills of these youngsters. Organisers of the Mai Hondo and Willard Katsande tournaments also deserve special mention for their unwavering commitment to this cause.
Also, Manica Diamonds have taken the same route where the club could tap into this raw talent and lay a solid foundation for its future. The annual Copa Coca-Cola competition also sticks out in this regard.
The need to invest in infrastructure that can see us realise this end cannot be overemphasised because these have virtually been non-existent. No wonder most of our players who have not come through this way struggle and fail to prove to be good enough even for the modest Absa Premiership in neighbouring South Africa as most usually trek back home. And there is a reason nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Senegal have dominated and been successful in youth championships because they have sound junior policies that develop their game early at the grassroots.
If it is about football that you care let’s share the cheer because we are made for the game, mad about the game!
Feedback:
I am shocked to note that the Confederation of African football (CAF) have banned all the stadiums in Zimbabwe from hosting international matches. What is the meaning of all this to the soccer-loving fans of this country? This sad development can send ugly signals to the rest of the world. Our stadiums are still in a sorry state and I just wonder why that when it comes to addressing such crucial the responsible authorities are always found wanting and become irredeemably blind. This compromises our sovereignty as a nation; it is just dreadful and unacceptable. — Terrence Mwedzi; Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
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