Hwange scores a first in schools soccer

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
HWANGE District has scored a national first by forming a National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) girls’ soccer league that will see 35 secondary schools taking part.

The schools have been divided into four zones to cut on travelling expenses, as matches will be played throughout the year.

The zonal divide will see 10 schools playing under Hwange Urban, the same number under Victoria Falls, nine under Dete, while rural Jambezi will have six schools, which is still legally within the required number for a league to be recognised by football bodies.

According to the Matabeleland North Nash head-in-charge of football Lunguza Ndlovu, the programme will spread into other districts if the Hwange test case is successful.

“The idea was sold to us by Zimbabwe Women’s Football vice-president Samukeliso Silengane in a bid to see women’s football progressing and it’s also in line with what Fifa wants, which is to promote the girl child through football,” said Ndlovu, the headmaster of Chilisa High School in Hwange town.

Fifa women’s football development programmes offer member associations multifaceted support ranging from expertise, teaching and promotional material to football equipment and financial assistance.

The programmes on offer for the next four years strive to encourage and create competition opportunities at all levels for women and girls.

Fifa has set guidelines that provide all 209 member associations with the necessary information to apply for and benefit from Fifa women’s football development programmes.

“Ideally we ought to have started this month, but due to examinations and the obvious teething problems, we have deferred to next month, which will also be for us to officially launch the schools’ league, not only in the district, but Matabeleland North as a province,” said Ndlovu.

The formation of a more organized league will also give national Under-17 coach Evelyn Rimai an opportunity to scout for talent and also give qualified women coaches such as Irene Mwanza from Mosi-Oa-Tunya High School in Victoria Falls the much needed practice throughout the year.