The Sunday Mail
Collin Matiza
THE Zimbabwe Homeless World Cup coordinating partners, Young Achievement Sports for Development (YASD), have got their preparations for this year’s global showpiece off the ground and are currently developing the 2024 selection plans.
The 16th edition of the social football movement will be held in Seoul, South Korea, from September 21 to 28.
The 2024 Homeless World Cup Zimbabwe selection process will run under the theme “a reason to dream”.
Petros Chatiza, one of the chief coordinators of YASD, said the selection will take a scouting and talent search approach with the aim of creating empowerment opportunities for participants, using football to address social changes affecting young people (drugs, gender inequality, early marriages and teen pregnancies).
“YASD — the Zimbabwean Homeless World Cup coordinators — will host street soccer selection games in various vulnerable and marginalised communities with the aim of identifying talented young people who will be further mentored and trained by professional coaches to be part of the 2024 team that will represent Zimbabwe at this year’s edition of the Homeless World Cup in Seoul, South Korea,” Chatiza said.
“YASD will host street soccer tournaments in various communities, where young people register to participate for selection.
“Professional coaches will assist in talent scouting. Once selected, the participants will undergo a boot camp before the final selection of the team which will represent Zimbabwe in Seoul.”
That team selection experience, he said, also incorporates talent identification, development, mentoring and life skills training.
The Homeless World Cup is a social movement and does not carry any prize money or any financial reward, and, as such, those picked for the final team will not receive any remuneration but the opportunity to transform their lives, as well as represent Zimbabwe at the 74-nation week-long event.
For Team Zimbabwe members, selection will give an opportunity to talented amateurs or unknown players to showcase their talent, as well as represent their country.
“Each of the selection tournaments will be covered by the media in the period when the selection tournaments will be held in various places.
“YASD will also livestream the tournaments on social media and give an opportunity to one player by means of a ‘redemption ticket’ in the event that the coaches who serve as judges would have passed over someone,” Chatiza added.
He said apart from getting a chance to represent the country at the football tournament, players will also have the opportunity to travel and see the world, make new friends and experience new cultures.
They will also receive mentorship from local professional coaches.
The coordinators are also on a drive to court a number of corporate partners to fund their activities and the subsequent World Cup sojourn.
“Sponsorship is not just about money; we believe the coming on board of various brands/companies will add considerable value to the selection process.
“The sponsor may contribute monetary resources, management time and support leverage activity.”
