Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BUILDING on the momentum of its successful launch last year, the Gloria Junior League is set to return to the football calendar with a greater ambition, with this year’s edition marking a significant milestone in football grassroots development in the country.
The Gloria Junior League was launched last year with the inaugural U-17 League, which was won by Jadel Academy.
Following its successful launch, founder and chairperson of the Gloria Junior League, Gift Mabvudza has revealed that the junior league is returning bigger and better with the introduction of a new age group league.
The league will consist of two junior football leagues, the U-17 and the U-15 league.
“We had a successful season in our debut as the Gloria Junior League. And I can confirm that the league is returning for its second edition, and it will be bigger and better,” said Mabvudza.
A total of 24 teams are set to participate in this year’s edition.
Having debuted with only nine teams, the U-17 League returns with 12 teams, the same number the U-15 league will have.
Mabvudza confirmed the development of the junior league.
“We had nine teams in our inaugural year and this we have increased the teams to 12, the same number we will have for our new U-15 league,” he said.
Mabvudza said the tournament is designed to bridge the gap between grassroots talent and competitive excellence while it acts as a vehicle in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“The league’s mission is to provide a professional platform for the next generation of athletes to showcase their skills, discipline, and passion on a grander stage while we spread the message in the fight against drug and substance abuse among the youths,” said Mabvudza.
The Gloria League chairperson told Zimpapapers Sports Hub about plans to set up provincial leagues across the country.
“What we have seen is that drug and substance abuse is not only in Harare, and resources permitting, we will be spreading the wings to all the four corners of the country in the near future to fight the scourge while we also seek to give an equal opportunity to the next generation of players,” said Mabvudza.
He added that plans are currently underway to set-up a U-21 league which will cater for players that would have graduated from the U-17 age group.
“We have heard concerns from our stakeholders about the need to set-up a U-21 league.
“We feel that in our efforts to fight drug and substance abuse, we just let the players go before reaching adulthood, hence we will be introducing the U-21 league next year,” said Mabvudza.
