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HERENTALS coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva has described the initiative by Herentals Group of Colleges to throw grassroots tournaments across the country as massive as it allows the technical team to identify and subsequently nurture talent for the good of the team.
Various centres under the banner of Herentals Group of Colleges on Saturday held the inaugural Herentals annual soccer tournament.
The competition is in line with the institution’s vision of giving back to the community.
It is the brainchild of the college’s chief executive and Herentals striker Innocent Benza.
And Mutiwekuziva hailed the event as he believes it will allow the team to have a huge selection base for the flagship top-flight team as well as the developmental first division side.
The soft spoken gaffer, who guided the Students to sixth in their maiden Premiership dance last season said he had identified several players in the tournament who can easily fit into his team as well as the institution’s team in Division One.
“I was really impressed by what I saw during the Herentals Group of Colleges’ tournaments. I visited Glen Norah and Mbare where I saw sheer talent on display.
“The youngsters are tactically gifted and just need help for fine-tuning. I can safely say at George Stark in Mbare I identified two or three players who I am going to draft into our system,” said Mutiwekuziva.
The George Stark tournament was organised by the college’s Central Business District branch principal John Dhadhi who described it as a success.
“Of course, our main mandate is to make sure students who enroll at our college get the best education. We have also introduced these annual sports galas where we have decided to include the community as part of our social corporate responsibility.
“This is the vision of the institution’s chief executive, Innocent Benza who has both education and sport at heart,” said Dhadhi.
“We are happy that some of the teenagers have been identified for further nurturing of their talent instead of spending time engaging in social vices.
“This makes our college unique. On top of academic excellence, we have also sought to help in playing our role in grassroots soccer development.
“It is our wish as Herentals Group of Colleges to see young players being absorbed into the mainstream soccer structures.”
In Glen Norah, legends like George Nechironga, Oscar Motsi, Alois Patsika and Edwin Farai graced the event and gave the institution some rave reviews.
The colleges’ Glen Norah branch head Isabel Singe said they will continue holding such events to help give youths in the community the much-needed exposure.
“Herentals Group of Colleges’ vision is to see youths grow to be the best they can be either academically or sport-wise,” said Singe.
“We decided to hold this tournament, thanks to the chief executive (Benza) after realising that we should be giving back to the community. We will continue holding such events to give the youths the platform to shine and possibly take their talent to a higher-up notch.
“We have a club in the Premiership and another in the first division as Herentals Group of Colleges and talented players can be taken there. So it’s not a small or once-off thing, it’s actually a window to great things.”
Online Reporter