adminPaul Pindani in CHINHOYI
A LOCAL church leader believes Zimbabwe will never succeed in continental football tournaments as long as there is no vibrant junior policy in place.
Apostle Desmond Parirewa, of Freshfire Ministries, told H-Metro, on the sidelines of a recent sports gala, that it was important for the nation to have a sound junior policy for the growth and development of football.
He said junior leagues will act as feeders to the top-flight leagues in the country.
“The only way to develop and identify raw talent is to have vibrant junior leagues in all the 10 provinces,” he said.
Parirewa said the lack of a vibrant junior policy was hindering development of football in the country.
“We need to invest heavily in junior policy and also develop sports and recreational infrastructure.
“The corporate world also has a role to play when it comes to ploughing back into society, through sports infrastructure development,” said Parirewa.
Similar sentiments were echoed by sportscaster and Sodbury Football Club coach, Spencer Banda, who urged scouts to cast their nets wider.
“Once we are able to scout talent, it enables us to get to know which are the players that would be able to play which particular sport, in the future,” said Banda.
Meanwhile, former Zimbabwe Saints player, Andrew “Mai Maria” Kadengu, told H-Metro a vibrant junior policy would be a great step, in the right direction, for sports development and talent identification.
Online Reporter