Chronicle Editor
Mandla Moyo, Sports Reporter
A NUMBER of former topflight football players and administrators met at Highlanders Sports Club yesterday to witness the launch of the Peter “Oxo” Nkomo Goalkeepers Academy.
The academy, to be based at Highlanders Sport Club, is one of its kind targeting boys aged between 16 to 18 and was graced by a number of big names in football, namely the legendary George Shaya and veteran administrator Ndumiso Gumede, among others.
Martin Changachire, an Econet employee who set the ball rolling by donating soccer balls concurred with others that the road to glory is not an easy one. He also appealed to members of the community to assist as such a move had multiple benefits outside football like keeping the boys out of the streets and from abusing drugs. Changachire challenged “Oxo” to work tirelessly with others in order to produce reliable goalkeepers with character.
“If you look at the keepers that we have today a few or none are in the mould of you and your fellows like Japhet Mparutsa, Brenna Msika, Tapuwa Kapini and many more. You having travelled that road and performed beyond expectations, I hereby challenge you to be the goose that lays the golden eggs by producing such keepers,” said Changachire.
His efforts were also appreciated by Gumede who thanked him for such a noble gesture and further encouraged Nkomo to be strong.
“For any business the most difficult task is to start, however, afterwards it can have a tremendous impact on the lives and welfare of the people. I would also like to send my sincere appreciation for this kind of gesture made ‘small’ as it might seem who knows what the future holds for this noble idea,” said Gumede.
Nkomo was also humbled to see some of the legends grace the occasion and go on to give their blessings.
“It makes me happy to realise that those that I denied joy during my playing days by blocking them from achieving glory through scoring goals are here today to help me achieve my dream of launching a soccer academy. As a result I feel humbled and would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart,” said Nkomo.
@Mandlamoyo3
Bongani Ndlovu