Harare City launch junior tourney

Caroline Magenga Sports Reporter
HARARE City Council have launched an Under-14 football tournament which will get underway on Saturday. Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni said the tournament would not only benefit Harare City FC but football in the country.

The tournament which will feature all 32 Council-run primary schools in the capital.

“Football is a team effort and I am happy to see the team spirit in this room as represented by the different interest groups — school heads and Harare City FC management,” said Manyenyeni, who is also the Harare City FC patron.

“Harare City FC has great potential because it has a huge catchment of 32 schools to tap talent from.

“Council will continue to support your efforts to groom soccer talent.

“Our focus, however, is not only to groom talent for Harare City FC but to develop soccer in Harare to higher levels and this will positively impact on soccer at national level.”

All participating schools will receive playing kits and winners will pocket US$5 000, a trophy and medals while the first runners-up will walk away with US$3 000 and the third placed team will take home US$2 000.

There will also be consolation prizes for all participating teams.

ZIFA board member for development John Phiri, commended the move by the City Council. “As you are all aware Zifa is currently struggling to develop soccer owing to financial challenges so the move by the City Council has come as a timely intervention and lessened our burden.

“Although the City Council have come in a big way with this tournament they will not be working alone as the mother body is always there and what Council is doing is fulfilment of some of the developmental structures we have in place as Zifa

“My concern is that these tournaments should not neglect the girl child as women football has grown significantly, evidenced by the fact that they even have their own Premiership.