City Vellos reward 26 players

Answer Sithole
MUTARE based junior football outfit City Vellos did what some Premiership and Division One clubs failed to do when the team awarded 26 young players for a job well done during the 2014 season.

The team presented the 26 with awards at Sakubva Beit Hall last Saturday.

The end of season awards presentation saw winners in categories such as top goal-scorer, most disciplined , most improved, player of the year, well-dressed player, most committed player and goalkeeper of the year across all age groups getting different awards.

The occasion was graced by the former Zifa vice president Kenny Marange and National Association for Primary Heads (NAPH) head in charge of soccer Masimba Chihowa, who was the guest of honour. Among those who won were Marlon Mwai, James Mwanambo and Denzel Jackson in the player of the year category in the Under-12, Under-13 and Under-16 age groups, respectively

Speaking at the awards, Chihowa encouraged young soccer players — especially those in the high-density suburbs — to take junior football seriously since some have taken up soccer as a profession. “A lot of young soccer players do not exploit their talents by joining these clubs.

“There is a need for them to take such initiatives seriously in order to develop their skills and talents.

“A lot of the talent is found in the ghetto and these players should bear in mind that they can earn a living through football that is if they take up such initiatives,” said Mr Chihowa

Speaking during the same function, Marange acknowledged the efforts of the club and also encouraged the business community to sponsor such programmes which come in handy in the development of Zimbabwe’s football

“The club is doing a good job in developing raw talent into better players. Such awards encourage other players and also appeals to these who are not part of this great community to join.

“The business community should also sponsor these programs, which will be a shift from sponsoring the seasoned clubs. This will help in the development of the country’s football,” said Mr Marange.

According to their mission statement, City Vellos aims to develop raw talent into polished players by targeting the under 12s, Under 14s and Under 16s from in and around Mutare.