adminSenior Reporter
THIS year’s Willard Katsande Under-18 soccer tournament will have teams from all over the country for the first time since its inception two years ago. This was officially revealed at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday morning during the second organising committee meeting held in preparation of the competition. The annual tournament will be held on June 4 and 5 and preparations have gathered momentum with the organising committee setting out deadlines for various activities ahead of the annual junior soccer competition.
Tournament organising secretary, Masimba Chihowa, told the gathering that this year’s competition would be bigger and better in all facets. “There is no doubt that this year’s competition must be bigger and better in all respects. We are aware that there will be teams from other regions and not just Manicaland.
“This demands more homework on our part as an organising committee. None, but ourselves will be blamed if we fail to put in place the things that we should ahead of the tournament,” said Chihowa.
For the first time, the tournament will incorporate schools unlike in the past two years wherein junior football clubs were the only participants.
“There is no way we can run away from participation of schools. This year’s edition will be held during the course of the second term. After all, the same players that are in junior football clubs come from different schools,” said Chihowa. The tournament is sponsored by Warriors and ABSA Premiership side Kaiser Chiefs anchorman, Katsande.
The former Feruka, Highway and Gunners player Katsande, who traces his roots to the dusty streets of Sakubva, started sponsoring the tournament two years ago as part of his efforts to identify and develop football talent in the eastern border city where he spent the greater part of his childhood.
A total of 16 teams, mainly from Mutare, used to take part in the tournament which was won by junior soccer powerhouse La Sakubva during its inaugural edition.
Online Reporter