The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
A NEW soccer league in Filabusi that is set to transform football in that part of the country has been set up. The league’s aim is to go deeper in the rural areas for talent as well as to ensure gifted players earn a living from the game. It also aims to come up with a potent unit that will bring Division Two League football to Filabusi within a year of its formation. 
The Godlwayo South Soccer League kicked off four weeks back with 12 teams battling it out for the championship.
The league’s board chairman Bhekimpilo Sithole emphasised they were aiming at harnessing talent in the area rather than just simply competing for its own sake.
He said there was a lot of talent in the rural areas but it was lost because rewards were only found in top teams based in big cities while in rural areas football remained a simple past time.
He said the intention was also to create synergies with established clubs in Bulawayo so that players from Filabusi go for trials at such teams. The Godlwayo league comprises Mapeume, Singwambizi, Vokola, Bambanani, Mbembesi, Avoca, Dekezi, Mbondweni, Mabuze, Siwazi, Hlatshwayo and Silalatshani.
The league’s board member communications Zibusiso Majankwe Ncube said they had in the past invited teams such as Highlanders for off-season tournaments to provide entertainment but were now aiming at creating opportunities for up-and-coming players. He said focus should not only be confined to the pitch but also in the administration side of the business to ensure smooth running of the league.
Other board members include include vice chairman Luke Senda, Angilacala Ndlovu (secretary general), Mqondisi Sibanda, Elijah Tshuma, Elliot Moyo, Obey Masilela and Sibangani Ncube, (all committee members). There is also an executive that is tasked with the day to day running of the league and is headed by Norman Sibanda who is deputised by Jabulani Tshuma with Sergeant Dube handling the finances and the secretary is Khumbulani Moyo. Sithole said they had already appointed a technical department led by Ndodana Khumalo that is tasked with identifying players for their Division Two project which they want to be competitive at a higher level.
Ncube said they were inspired by the Tsholotsho fairytale and wanted to ensure Premiership football came to Filabusi in the not too distant future.
