Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A NEW national High Schools football tournament has been launched as part of efforts to widen the talent identification net and also augment the national anti-drug campaign.
The inaugural Young and Great National Association of School Heads (NASH) Under-20 finals will be held in Gweru at a date to be announced.
The tournament will start at district level up to the national stage, with over 1000 schoolchildren from across Zimbabwe expected to participate.
Previously, Young and Great, through their partnership with the Tanny Mashamanda Foundation, held the tournament at provincial level but the organisation yesterday announced the plan to go national.
Founder of the Tanny Mashamanda Fountion, Tanaka Mashamanda, said:
“We are not just talking football, we are also talking about drug and substance abuse.
“Football can help school kids stay away from drugs by giving them an opportunity to play football.
“That’s why we are excited to announce the Young and Great NASH Under-20 tournament.”
Mashamanda added:
“The tournament started in 2024 at provincial level, when Young and Great hosted a tournament at Seke 1 High school in Chitungwiza.
“We had 58 schools participating. In 2025, at Oriel Boys, the number rose to 70 schools and we also included girls.
“Now we have gone national. The tournament will be played across the country’s 10 provinces and there will prizes for winners from both boys.
“As Young and Great, we want to promote talent by encouraging school children to play football so that they remain occupied.”
NASH head in charge of football, Masimba Mupawaenda, saluted the Tanny Mashamana Foundation for affording school children more football time.
“Most playing fields have been converted into buildings, so it means kids do not have space to play football.
“But they can play it at school, so this tournament is very critical in taking the children away from drugs by providing a platform for learners to also play football.
“It means children are actually spending their energies playing football. This is a noble initiative,” said Mupawaenda.
The Young and Great NASH Under 20 tournament dovetails into ZIFA’s grand plan to revive junior football by having children play more games.
In October 2025, ZIFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE), aimed at promoting more football in schools.
A few weeks ago, the football association launched the BancABC Roots Impact program, which is set to benefit thousands of youths across the country, through organized junior leagues in all the 10 provinces.
Mathew Masinge