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Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
NEWLY established, Catch Them Young Soccer Academy, in Matabeleland North’s provincial capital of Lupane, is just but a project that has proved to be growing in leaps and bounds.
Founded last year by Thandolwenkosi Nyoni, Lawrence Dube, Bukhosi Khumalo and Leonard Mwale, locals who work at Lupane Business Centre, we reveal that seven developmental sides with Under-13, 15 and 20 age groups have already been set up.
The teams that make up the academy are Mzola France, Sobendle, Sunrise, Lupane City, Shabulana Invaders, Hotspurs and Mtshibini. According to Nyoni, the budding football stars that are drawn from local primary and secondary schools that include Songo, Lupane, Mtshibini (primary), Nhlanhla and Mabhikwa (secondary) are afforded a chance to play against each from their respective . . . through Soccer Galas that are held every month either at Somhlolo Stadium or at Mtshekisaneni Ground.
They have so far held three soccer festivities that were graced by former Hwange Football Club legendary goalkeeper Weekly Mwale, on two occasions.
“Our main aim is to establish links with well established soccer academies locally and abroad. We have been in constant touch with FC Platinum assistant coach Lizwe Sweswe, ex-Highlanders captain Thulani “Biya” Ncube and radio personality Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda all in an effort to get ideas on how to take our project to more advanced levels. It’s also our wish to export talent to local premiership clubs,” said Nyoni.
He added that they enjoy a good working relationship with Lupane District Sports Officer Abson Mahlangu, Lupane Local Board, Rural Community Empowerment Trust, National Aids Council (Nac) and school teachers from academic institutions dotted in and around the Lupane community.
Ex-Highlanders striker Abraham Mbaiwa, a former teacher at Lupane’s Mabikwa Secondary School, also worked in glove with the founders of the academy. The development reportedly saw the former Bosso player donate soccer balls to the soccer college before he was transferred to Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park Secondary School early this year.
As way of cultivating a sense of responsibility among their football sensations, Nyoni said before engaging in sports galas, the budding stars hold a clean-up exercise right round the Lupane Business Centre.
“This is also a way of cultivating a sense of responsibility among our players. The move is also meant to sell our idea to the local business community. We need everyone support as some of our players’ parents cannot afford to pay their children’s school fees. We believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to help the upcoming stars realise their dreams,” said Nyoni adding that their fourth soccer festival will be held on 12 May at Somhlolo Stadium.
@FungaiMuderere
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