The Sunday Mail
KAIZER CHIEFS and Warriors defensive linkman Willard Katsande has poured in $7 000 for this year’s edition of the Willard Katsande Under-18 Soccer Tournament set for Sakubva Stadium this Saturday.
The tournament, which caters for youths teams in Manicaland province, is now in its third year and Katsande told The Sunday Mail from his base in South Africa that he would continue supporting grassroots soccer.
The winners of this year’s edition are set to pocket $800, a trophy and a football kit, which is a marked improvement from last year’s prize money of $500 that was scooped by Chipinge Junior Academy.
La Sakubva, favourites to lift the trophy this year and one of the most feared teams in the Mutare Under-18 league, were the inaugural winners in 2012, when they walked away $500 richer.
“It is my wish to continue supporting the development of soccer in the province and I know it will also help the nation at large.
“I am doing this as a means of giving back to the society, mentoring and motivating the youngsters. I hope this tournament will also present them with a chance to be spotted by big clubs,” said Katsande, who will be part of the crowd at Sakubva.
Twenty teams will converge at Sakubva for the two-day tournament that will see the likes of City Strikers, City Vellos, La Sakubva, Barrons, P Stars, Golden Scissors, Golden Stars, Matan, Shekon Stars, Safa, Super Tigers, Mutare Stars, Buffaloes and Faith Drive battling it out.
Tournament organising committee member Panganai Mbaradza said this year’s tournament will run under the theme “No Youth No Future” and assured that all the invited teams will participate.
“The tournament is open only to Under-18 players and we are expecting fireworks at Sakubva.
“Willard (Katsande) will be there and we are also expecting some big names like his teammates at Chiefs Ovidy Karuru and Kingston Nkatha as well as Dynamos striker Washington Pakamisa,” he said.
