Copa coca-cola 2017 tourney launched

. Fungai Muderere in Bindura
ITa��S for the kids!

29 years later, Copa Coca-Cola will continue paying tribute to junior soccer players who have worked hard over many years to attain the standards required to represent the schools and even the nation.

Speaking at this yeara��s tournament launch on Wednesday at Rujeko High School in Greendale, Delta Sparkling Beverages General Manager, Moses Gambiza said the tournament is part of local footballa��s legacy.

a�?The Nash-organised soccer tournament has made a mark on the lives of thousands of secondary school pupils, their families and communities throughout Zimbabwe over the years.

It shows the lasting power of football and it reminds us of how far we have come. Indeed a very successful road with so much to be proud of,a�? he said.

He laid emphasis on that the tournament is being played in 68 countries with an estimated 1, 3 million active participants (including fans) annually.

Retired footballers, Costa Maradzike, Kingstone Rinemota, Biggie Zuze and Alisara Kondowe graced the launch function.

With the commencement event being held in Mashonaland Central, the organisers saw it fit to invite those from the province who have made a name for themselves on the local football scene.

Wednesdaya��s official launch paved the way for the zonal fixtures set for Friday.

The zonal games will be followed by the district competitions on 9 June and the provincial finals on 7 July. The 10 provincial champions for boys and girls will then join last yeara��s champions as well as the host schools for the national finals in Bindura on 21 and 22 July.

Rujeko were crowned the boysa�� champions after they beat Chinhoyi 4-1 on penalties in Gwanda where Chidyamakono won the girlsa�� competition for the fourth year in a row after they overcame Magwegwe 1-0.

The schools with the privilege of being at home during the national finals are Chipindura for the boys and Herman Gmeiner for the girls.

Changes to the age group this year will see the competition being an Under-15 event for boys and girls.

The move came about because the sponsors, Coca-Cola, its bottling partners in Zimbabwe, Delta Beverages and Mutare Bottling Company want to fund an age group that is recognised by Fifa.