adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
THE ZIFA Northern Region Division One League have appealed to clubs in their constituency to have junior teams who will play as curtain-raisers before the senior team matches.
The league is regarded as the best run in the country and they have said they now want to promote juniors among their members.
The ZIFA Northern Region had their annual meeting on Saturday ahead of the resumption of the championship on March 31.
Willard Manyengavana, the ZIFA Northern Region League chairman said if many clubs can manage to implement their proposal, then the recycling of old players will be a thing of the past.
“We had a successful annual meeting where several issues were discussed and one of them was that teams introduce junior sides, who will contest in a mini-league before main matches pitting the first teams,’’ said Manyengavana.
“We are looking forward to improve our league as well as promote junior development and we encourage teams not to spend much money buying players.
“To have Division One deemed a retirement zone for old players should be a thing of the past and we are going to make sure we move away from that from this season going forward.
“We understand some teams are suffering financially, but it is a recommendation which I believe if implemented, it will take us far.’’
Manyengavana went on to praise the league’s teams who have managed to pay up their affiliation fees for the upcoming season.
“We have encouraged everyone to have affiliated by March 14 so that we release the fixtures.
“The games will begin on March 31 without fail,” said Manyengavana.
Online Reporter