Infantino endorses flagship tournament

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

RARELY does a local knock-out football competition grab global attention.

But yesterday, the echoes rang far and wide following the launch of the lucrative Munhumutapa Challenge Cup by President Mnangagwa in Harare, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino was one of the high-profile sports figures to stop and take notice.

Infantino, who is no stranger to the Southern African country he visited Zimbabwe in 2017, revealed his joy and excitement in a video message addressed to the President, domestic football leadership and the football-loving Zimbabweans.

Infantino believes the tournament will be a game changer. The five-year all-inclusive US$25m Munhumutapa Challenge Cup was hailed by football stakeholders as a historic milestone for domestic football.

“President of Zimbabwe, Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, ZIFA president, my friend, Nqobile Magwizi, and all my friends in Zimbabwe,” Infantino said.

“What a great day for football in your wonderful country.

“The launch of the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is a momentous occasion for our beloved sport, and I congratulate you all for bringing this tremendous, fabulous project to life.”

The distinctive US$5m per year tournament could be the biggest in terms of scope, investment and inclusivity across the continent.

It will see over 1 000 teams across the men’s and women’s top-flight, lower divisions, junior football, Area Zones, futsal and beach football clubs taking part.

Regional football leaders David Fani and Sue Destombes of COSAFA were part of the guests at yesterday’s launch.

The FIFA president revealed he was blown away by the strong hand of the Zimbabwean government in football development.

“I’m especially heartened that it has such a strong governmental support.

“So, thank you for that, Mr. President, and it will give even more momentum to the fantastic work of all the teams at the Zimbabwe Football Association.

“The far-reaching impact of this tournament is an honour and particularly gives me cause for joy as it mirrors FIFA’s own goal of making football accessible to all.

“I congratulate you again and thank you for all that you are doing to make football the beautiful game, even more beautiful in beautiful Zimbabwe,“ said Infantino.

ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said the challenge cup presented opportunities for many.

“It is structured, it is inclusive, and it is transformational.

“This is the most comprehensive competition ever undertaken by Zimbabwean football.

“It spans areas from the Premier League to the grassroots, to the elite, women’s football, futsal, and beach sports. It is national in scale,” said Magwizi.

Veteran administrator and ZIFA Northern Region League Soccer chairman Sweeney Mushonga said football stands to benefit at all levels.

“This is an exciting development for our football, with lots of benefits to the local football ecosystem. I can say we are on threshold moment because we have never seen anything like this in the history of our game.

“It brings unity from the top to the bottom levels of our football, and my prayer is that a team from NRSL will win this. We also look forward to identifying new players.”

Mushonga believes the coming in of the sponsorship is a vote of confidence in the football leadership and urged the corporate world to consider partnerships.

“This level of support means a lot. You cannot put your money where you have doubts, and I believe this tournament will be run professionally, maintaining the integrity of the game.

“This should send a strong message to the corporate world and prospective sponsors. We should see a lot of down-stream benefits, able to assist all the leagues down the football pyramid,” said Mushonga.