adminManunure from Midlands are the defending champions in boys section and Vainona are the title holders in the girls Under-17 tournament.
This year the tournament will see 94 boys’ and 91 girls’ teams from various schools battle it out in their respective categories as they seek to progress to the national finals to be held in Victoria` Falls from July 28 to 29.
In Harare participants will converge at Prince Edward while in Bulawayo the event will be held at Gifford High. Manama High in Gwanda are the hosts for Matabeleland South.
Mosi-a-Tunya will be the hosts for Matabeleland North and schools from Midlands will converge at Mandava High. Masvingo will stage their event at St Antony-Zaka while
Mashonaland East and Central will converge at Marondera High and Hermaine Germaine respectively.
In Manicaland the finals will be held at Dorowa Mine grounds and Mashonaland West will hold their event at St Eric’s Secondary.
Zhou said they are ready to host the provincial finals set for Mandava High this Friday.
“In terms of preparations I think we are geared up for the event. We are at an advanced stage securing qualified referees and we have schools from different districts that are going to converge at Mandava for the competition,” he said. Zhou said they are hoping to retain the title and have been working with Manunure High to ensure the team is adequately prepared for the tournament. The competition is going to be tough. I think the team that is going to be geared up for the competition is going to be the winners. Each province will be fighting hard to win. I appreciate that Coca-Cola have invested in the tournament from district level up to the national event.
“Besides this is an event talented players will be identified and there will be people scouting for talent so everyone will do their best to showcase their talent.
“However, we are making every effort as Midlands province to defend our title. I have been in touch with the head from Manunure and we want the team to be thoroughly prepared,” said Zhou.
The provincial head in charge, however, said it will be a bit tricky in the girls section for them to win at the national finals because they are still developing.
“On the girls’ side we always face challenge from Harare. They have some of their players in clubs and they are always ahead of us because we are still developing,” said Zhou. Only the winners from both categories will join the defending champions and the hosts for the national finals later this month.
Online Reporter