adminThe competition, which concluded at Sakubva in Mutare on Sunday, featured the boys Under-16 teams and the girls’ 17-and-Under age-group. It was a silver jubilee for the boys competition while the girls celebrated their third anniversary.
Chemhanza from Mashonaland East were crowned champions in the boys section and Chidyamakono of Masvingo won the girls category.
Mapeza graced the event together with Footballers Union of Zimbabwe president Desmond Maringwa and Zifa board member (development) John Phiri.
Speaking on the sidelines of the competition, Mapeza applauded the organisers and the coaches who were working with the players for their efforts in nurturing young talent.
Mapeza also encouraged parents to support their children in such tournaments.
“It’s not easy especially now to have a tournament and we have seen a lot of talent. I really want to thank the coaches, I think they have done well because dealing with kids every time is not easy. But I think these guys have shown us that they are capable, they can do it and I really want to thank them.
“And I wish we could see some parents as well coming to attend these tournaments because it won’t be good for them to hear that their kids are playing soccer, their kids are doing well in soccer . . . Let them come and watch for themselves. But you know, like I said, with these economic hardships, it’s not easy at the end of the day.
“I think it was a well-organised tournament and I really want to thank all those who were invited for gracing this occasion.
“We need to share ideas on how to develop these kids and how the parents are going to support these kids,” said Mapeza.
Mapeza, who was part of the Zimbabwe “Dream Team” in the early 1990s, said the competition is an opportunity for the young players to showcase their talent.
“During our days we never had such tournaments like these and I am happy because Coca-Cola are managing to do this for these kids, it’s a place for them to showcase their talent and at the end of the day the ball will be in their court to showcase their talent.
“I would love to see these kids maybe in two or four years time playing for some of the PSL clubs or even go to Europe.
“My wish is for these guys who are helping these kids as coaches to attend coaching courses. For them to help these kids to develop, they need to attend those courses and if they can manage to work with local coaches that will be great,” said Mapeza.
Chemhanza coach, Never Mhandu, shared the same sentiments but urged other sponsors to come on board to create more tournaments for the juniors.
“It is a very good tournament because we are saying it develops our players from grassroots, but they need exposure whereby we should have many tournaments like this one. We are saying to the corporate world why you can’t deal with schools because that’s where we can get these youngsters.
“We are happy for Coca-Cola, we wish they can continue supporting us as schools and I think it will benefit not only Chemhanza but all schools,” said Mhandu.
Mhandu said the involvement of the girls whose competition was introduced three years ago will also go a long way in improving women’s football in this country.
“It’s good because we are saying these girls will develop into better players and they will supply our national team and some of them they might end up playing for the top-flight league so it’s good for those players because it will develop them,” said Mhandu.
Coca-Cola senior franchise brand manager, Mona Karingi, said they are proud to be associated with soccer’s junior development programme in Zimbabwe.
“In Zimbabwe, Coca-Cola is proud to have been part of developing this sport from grassroots level, attracting thousands of young schoolchildren and developing them into solid footballers whilst involving their families and communities,” said Karingi.
The tournament saw the selection of the dream teams in each category with the boys set to go for a training camp in South Africa in September while the girls are expected to take part in the COSSASA games in Lesotho. Each team is made up of 20 players.
Online Reporter