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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
TEN teams are set to converge at Prince Edward School for the annual Jadel Football Academy tournament tomorrow.
The jamboree makes a rebound following a two-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was launched in December 2019 with the first edition being held at the same venue.
And the tournament is back this year with 10 Under-16 teams scheduled to battle it out for the top honours.
It is the brainchild of former Motor Action player Walter “Ringers” Musanhu who started the football nursery with the same name in Beijing, China, where he is based a few years ago.
He has since established a branch in Zimbabwe which will headline the tournament tomorrow.
Highly-regarded Mabvuku-based Ali Sundowns, Zimbabwe Young Dreamers Academy, Golden Eagles and Galaxy Academy are all expected to take part in the tournament.
Hwange Classics, Mbare Academy, Power and CUMA are also scheduled to grace the event.
In a statement during a pre-tournament function in Harare last night, Jadel Football Academy expressed satisfaction over the return of the tournament.
“As you may recall, in December 2019 Jadel Football Academy (JDA) successfully hosted its first tournament in Zimbabwe. This was notwithstanding that the football academy was barely a year older. The birth of the club can be traced back to Beijing where its founder former Young Warriors defender Walter “Ringers” Musanhu had just established himself amongst the elite football academies.
“Thus, the inaugural tournament was also meant to build a new base for the academy in Zimbabwe.
“The Covid-19 pandemic halted our ambition to make the tournament an annual football event. However, I believe that as we launch our second edition, this dream will be rekindled and pursued with more vigour. We are excited to announce that the 2022 JFA Invitational Tournament is pencilled for the 22nd of December at Prince Edward Football Grounds and it shall be held under theme “Giving the youths a better future and making football a career; don’t allow drugs to rob you of your dreams,” read the statement.
“We are expecting a total number of 10 Under-16 teams to participate. We would have loved to include our China-based team to grace this important event. However, this can only become a reality once the Covid-19 travel restrictions have been further relaxed.
“Obviously, there is synergy between the theme and the targeted age group”.
“As JDA, we pride ourselves for wanting to be part of the solutions to some of societal challenges affecting our youths by educating and allowing them to pursue football as a safe career path.
“Another exciting feature of this year’s edition is that for the first time we have made it an exclusively all-female referee tournament.”
Musanhu also donated a full kit for the Mighty Warriors who, however, are still sidelined due to the FIFA suspension of Zimbabwe.
There will be prizes for the winners, including for outstanding individuals.
Online Reporter