Zifa youth league in limbo

10 Nov, 2019 - 00:11 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda

AS both Dynamos and Highlanders’ team buses made their way into Rufaro last Sunday ahead of a Battle of Zimbabwe Premiership clash, somewhere on the dusty fields of rural Chiweshe, local football followers were also anticipating a huge clash at Nzvimbo Growth Point, some 90km away from the capital.

Kick-off for both matches was 3pm, but the Chiweshe derby was delayed as the tractor that was ferrying one of the farm-based teams broke down twice before reaching the match venue.

When this team called Forester finally arrived, the driver of the tractor immediately assumed his new role of master of ceremonies, while the teams changed under a nearby tree.

This highly anticipated clash pitting Forester and Katena was a battle of some of the top teams from Chiweshe Central Football League.

Sadly, it was fought on a bumpy pitch.

Despite their youthful exuberance, some of the players had no proper football boots. However, that didn’t stop them from dishing out a good game that kept the Chiweshe folk entertained for the better part of last Sunday.

The Chiweshe Central Football League is one of the numerous amateur leagues dotted across the country.

lt is clamouring for Zifa support.

The football association is yet to deliver on its promise to transform the game in marginalised areas through the much touted nationwide Youth Leagues.

In May, Zifa president Felton Kamambo told football councillors at the association’s annual meeting that his board would roll out the nationwide Youth Leagues by August.

Kamambo then commissioned some football equipment in September.

However, the much-awaited-for Youth Leagues are yet to kick off.

“The Chiweshe League was arranged for the sole benefit of the region’s young generation.

“We have people who love football here in Chiweshe, and we have young talent. We were also hoping that in terms of equipment and technical expertise, we would benefit from the proposed Zifa Youth Leagues,” said Freeman Gutsa, a Chiweshe Central Football League sponsor.

Gutsa is also the proprietor of Ruyamuro Service Stations, the official funders of the Northern Region Division One League.

In September, Kamambo told the media that a committee had already been set up to launch Youth League football, starting with the Eastern Region, before going to the Southern, Central and Northern Regions.

However, Kamambo was not available to comment on the issue last week.

Zifa technical director Wilson Mutekede assured The Sunday Mail Sport that the Youth League will kick off soon.

“There are slight delays but it’s on course,” Mutekede said.

Zifa is planning to start with the Under-15 age group, while the Under-17 games are set to be launched next year. The Under-19s will be launched last.

Zifa administrators have been accused of failing to prioritise football development from grassroots level.

Kamambo won plaudits when he committed to establish the Youth League.

 

 

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