The Sunday News
Muzingaye Ncube, Maboleni, Lower Gweru Sports Reporter
ZIFA vice-president Omega Sibanda has called for schools in Lower Gweru to consider working hand in glove with the Zifa regional offices in Midlands to champion soccer development starting with equipping coaches with the necessary skills to administer the sport. Sibanda said this during the annual soccer festival held at Maboleni in Lower Gweru on Friday, which was won by the host school, Maboleni High who beat Lower Gweru Mission 2-1 in the finals supported by ORAP in partnership with One World Futbol to distribute part of the 11 000 soccer balls, which were given to Zimbabwe to encourage the youth to be active through playing soccer.
The tournament involved six schools including two girls teams, Insukamini, Maboleni, Isibomvu, Lower Gweru Mission, Whata and Mdubiwa (girls).
“While the games were well organised with plenty of people and a crowd which I have never seen in some of the matches in Bulawayo, a lot still needs to be done in terms of coaching which was evident that the youngsters didn’t have. I recommend that they work with their regional offices and organise coaching clinics with Gibson Homela to at least give the teachers the basic coaching skills,” said Sibanda.
He applauded ORAP for giving indestructible soccer balls to the rural children, which will make life easier when practicing since the balls don’t get flat hence there is no need to purchase a pump.
“ORAP Zenzele are doing a splendid job as they sourced the prizes for the tournament and availed 80 soccer balls which we gave away today (Friday) to players and all the participating schools managed to get a box of 10 which they will use for their practice,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda said he witnessed a lot of talent which sadly goes untapped as there was no soccer club in that area that plies its trade in any of the nation’s competitive leagues.
“We saw a lot of talent today but I am disappointed by the fact that no clubs ever come to this area in search of talent. I would like to recommend clubs like Chapungu, among others who are nearby in Gweru to consider attending such tournaments,” he said, adding that he was also impressed by the two girls’ teams who took part in tournament.
“Girls soccer was a surprise to me, they played very well. I think they should also be given their own league in the rural areas because I saw about three or four youngsters who can qualify to represent the national Under-20 team,” he said.
Bryton Malandule the chief financial officer of ORAP said they felt honoured to work with Zifa to develop the game in the country through the Shooting for Education and Development (SHED) programme which they launched last year in Bulawayo.
“We are grateful to be partnering Zifa in their quest to take our soccer to another level. Our partnership is set to go a long way as we will also assist them with the coaching clinics for the rural school teachers,” he said, disclosing that in the next two weeks they would be distributing 4 000 balls in Bulawayo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South provinces.
Felton Kamambo the central region Zifa chairman also applauded ORAP for their work in his region.
