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EIGHT girls from Bulawayo will represent Zimbabwe at the Street Child Soccer World Cup to be staged in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from Thursday to April 7. Four officials will accompany the squad that leaves the country tomorrow via Johannesburg, South Africa. Grassroot Soccer Zimbabwe facilitated for the local players to participate in the Street Child World Cup in Brazil with support from The Vitol Foundation.
Programmes manager for Grassroot Soccer Zimbabwe, Tanya Sibanda said Street Child United organises the seven-a-side tournament, which is part of a global campaign to end the systematic and casual abuse of street children.
“SCU amplifies the voices of street children using soccer as a medium. Grassroot Soccer is fortunate to be in a position to ensure children from Zimbabwe are part of this worthy cause. We are particularly thankful to our partners who have made this possible, especially The Vitol Foundation. Grassroot Soccer remains committed to using the power of soccer for social change and to empower young people to take control of their lives,” Sibanda said.
Zimbabwe’s representatives were drawn from Masotsha High school, Thuthuka which is a contact centre for children that provides food, shelter, and counselling for any youth in need of their services and John Smale Children’s Home, which is a government rehabilitation home.
The players will engage in cultural exchange activities while in Brazil and will also get a chance to visit schools, produce and exchange art and participate in a conference on the rights of street children around the world.
Officials accompanying the squad are Zifa Bulawayo Province chairman Washington Chimhanda Sithole, Lynette Gunda, Amellia Chifodya and Sibanda.
Travelling team
Players: Olivia Muchemwa, Sicelo Nkomo, Zaida Mthethwa (John Smale Children’s Home), Pride Makaye, Precious Phiri, Ester Abrozi (Thuthuka), Priviledge Mupeti, Audrey Mandava (Masotsha High School).
Online Reporter