The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
FOOTBALL’S power as a unifier was showcased last week when the Filabusi community came together to witness a seven-team Singwambizi Social Football Tournament that was bankrolled by local businessman Bhekimpilo Sithole.
The high profile tourney attracted hundreds of people from around Filabusi as they gathered at Singwambizi Primary School on 23 December for a full day action of what the legendary Pele called “the world’s most beautiful game”.
Sithole, who runs Max Hardware and Spares Max, said the competition was meant to bring people together and celebrate the festive season as a community.
“Football is one of the most potent forces in bringing people together and I am glad the tourney brought people out of their homes and they enjoyed a good game of football. We had youngsters, fathers, mothers and even old people spending the day watching soccer. Another great thing is we had our relatives based in South Africa present and they took part which was good because it had been years since we had last seen some of them,” said Sithole.
The tourney, which was bankrolled to the tune of $2 200, saw all the community teams that took part getting new full kits with the top four walking away with cash prizes.
The high profile festival was graced by former national team star midfielder Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, Insiza South Member of Parliament Malaki Nkomo, Filabusi Ward 7 councillor, Douglas Sibanda, Matabeleland South Zifa chairman, Nkosilathi Ncube, among others.
The tourney was won by Vugwe, who walked away with a trophy and 2 000 rands while Mbondzweni came second and took home 1 000 rands and Singwambizi was third bagging 500 rands while fourth place, which came with 300 rands, went to Mbembesi.
Other teams that took part in the tournament include Siwazi, Bambanani and Mapeume.
Gidiza said he watched some exciting football from the residents of Filabusi and he felt obliged to assist some of the players search for teams in Bulawayo.
He said despite exhibiting great talent, some of the players were oblivious of the fact they could make a living out of their skills.
“You go to a rural area to watch a social soccer tournament thinking you won’t see any great play only for the players to shock you with their talent. I saw good football and I promised to assist some of the players get places in Premiership teams because I think they qualify and can play better than what we are seeing,” said Gidiza.
He said it was time coaches went out of their way to identify talent that is deeply tucked in rural areas instead of waiting for players to avail themselves while they look in cities only.
Gidiza said coaches should stop looking at the usual places if they had any hopes of unearthing gems.
Speaking during the tournament, Sibanda urged the players to take the game seriously as they have a great chance of making it big despite coming from the rural areas.
“Many of you think you cannot make it because you don’t come from Bulawayo but that is not true, your talent speaks for itself irrespective of where you come from. Football is now big business and there are many players making millions from the game. I spent all my life on the pitch and earned my life there and I believe a lot of you can also do that if you believe in yourself and work hard,” he said.
Nkomo praised Sithole for organising the tournament and bringing people of the constituency together.
Sithole said the tourney will be an annual event.
