Homela’s 80th birthday wish: Save grassroots football

Gibson Homela celebrates his 80th birthday

VETERAN football coach and Zimbabwe Saints legend Gibson Homela has used his 80th birthday celebrations to make a passionate appeal for greater investment in grassroots football, the revival of his beloved Zimbabwe Saints and reforms to football development in Zimbabwe.

Homela, who turned 80 on Wednesday, made the remarks during a birthday celebration organised by his children and attended by football personalities, community leaders and representatives from the corporate sector.

“At 80, I don’t want gifts for myself. I want a promise for the next generation. A promise that we will take grassroots soccer seriously,” said Homela.

He also appealed for the revival of Zimbabwe Saints, the club where he made his name as both a player and coach.

“I want a promise that we will revive our legends like Zimbabwe Saints,” said the Chikwata and Zimbabwe Saints legend.

Homela said what Zimbabwean football needs now is action rather than words.

“Journalists, influencers, leaders – please help me carry this message. The best birthday gift you can give me is action. Let’s build the future of Zimbabwean football, together,” said Homela.

Reflecting on the impact Zimbabwe Saints had on his life, Homela said the club had shaped not only his career but also the identity of many people in Bulawayo.

“The club gave me, and so many others, an identity. It gave our community Pride. Today Saints are fighting in the First Division, but they are fighting without enough support. I appeal to our business leaders, our corporates, and our Government to back Zimbabwe Saints with sponsorship. Give them the resources to succeed in the First Division. When the Saints rise, Bulawayo rises,” said Homela.

The veteran gaffer made his debut for Zimbabwe Saints, then known as Mashonaland FC, in 1963 after being identified at Gweru’s Gafa Grounds alongside Aleck Mwanza and the legendary William Sibanda.

He also challenged Government to introduce football coaching as part of the curriculum at teachers’ colleges to strengthen grassroots development.

“Please introduce soccer as part of the curriculum in our teachers’ colleges. Let every student teacher graduate not just as an educator, but as a qualified soccer according to FIFA and Caf standards,” said Homela.

He said investing in teachers was equivalent to investing in hundreds of children and would have a lasting impact on football development across the country.

Homela described the football coaches who attended his birthday celebration as part of his legacy, saying the game had given him purpose and shaped his life.

“It taught me that our children are the future of this beautiful game.

“Right now our talent is being left behind. We find them in the streets, in dusty fields, with so much talent and so little structure,” said Homela.