‘Proton-Surrey tourney, a feeder to national teams’

THE National Association of School Heads (Nash) Proton-Surrey 20-and-Under boys’ football tournament must be used as a platform to identify talent for national teams.

This is the view of many stakeholders within the football fraternity who made remarks on the importance of taking such schools’ competitions in the grooming and nurturing of budding players.

Of all the competitions in the local schools’ calendar, the Proton-Surrey sponsored contest counts as the biggest and caters for a very crucial age category that is ripe for competitive professional play as well.

Having passed through the provincial finals last week on Friday, the tournament goes to the finals on October 6 to 7 at the Barbourfields B Arena grounds. At this stage, 12 teams will compete for the coveted prize.

The hosting school for this edition is Mzilikazi High, the institution famed for its prowess as a centre of football development.

By virtue of being such a big competition, it is platform for that any football coach who appreciates young talent has to watch.

Nash president Arthur Maphosa told Zimpapers Sports Hub of the importance of the tournament. He said it was more than a contest between schools.

“One might want to look at the tournament as ordinary but we place so much value in it because it exposes our young players. This is the competition that we can confidently say is a feeder to the national team. This is a chance where big clubs in our league get to watch upcoming youngsters, who in the future are set to be play at big stages and also possibly make the grade to national teams,” said Maphosa.

He made a call to scouts to come in their numbers to catch a glimpse of the action.

“The Proton-Surrey tournament is our biggest football competition and as such we call on everyone to come and support our children. The aim is invite scouts, coaches and other stakeholders. It becomes more of a motivator.”

Renowned sports development coach, Collen Nyambiya makes a point on the need for schools to keep track of their best players in such tournaments.

“Schools are encouraged to track how their players perform as this helps when scouts ask for certain information if they have an interest.

“We so much appreciate how schools’ tournaments have aided in the development of young players. It is worthy to send gratitude to the sponsors and the National Association of Secondary Heads for their persistence in grooming players. From these initiatives, clubs and academies feed off and take over the players as to expose them to professional sport,” said Nyambiya who is also the director at Young Flying Stars Sports Academy.

Former midfield great Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda said:

“Of course we cannot deny that every player in the national team or elsewhere passed through such tournaments. I have seen a number of students making it big at school and being identified as quickly to play in big clubs. I was a product of school tournaments and I agree that they are indeed a feeder to the national teams.”

The Nash Proton-Surrey 20-and-Under Tournament was launched in 2017 and the first edition was won by Chibi High School.

In following year, the tournament was not held because of outbreak of a cholera outbreak. Then, in 2019, it was held in Mashonaland East and was won by Rusununguko High.

But in 2020 and 2021 there were no games as Covid-19 struck.

In 2022, schools converged in the Midlands. Goromonzi High won the trophy after beating Allan Wilson of Harare 1-0 in the final.

Nash head in charge of football in Bulawayo Province Christopher Dube said they were ready to host the tournament.

The host school headmaster Bhekokuhle Dube told Zimpapers Sports Hub of their readiness.

“Preparations are under way and we except everything to be in place. Mgandane, as Mzilikazi High School is known will give its best hospitality,” said Dube.