adminSports Correspondent
ZIFA Bulawayo Province chairman, Washington Chimanda-Sithole believes provincial leagues should be the bedrock of national football development and they should give more game time to junior players.Chimanda-Sithole said they decided to take the lead and they had directed clubs in the provincial leagues namely Division Two and Three to include a minimum of five players aged 18 years in their teams.
Chimanda-Sithole reiterated that young players should be given more game time for them to develop into quality players instead of being sidelined even in lower leagues.
“It is difficult for a young player to break into a team in the Premiership but they are equally not given enough game time in the lower divisions hence our decision to force the teams to include upcoming players,’’ said Chimanda-Sithole.
“I think this can make a difference for the national teams because some of the excuses for the Warriors’ failures are related to poor quality players who can’t compete against other nations.”
Chimanda-Sithole also said a vibrant junior league is important in grooming players.
More importantly, he said, there was a need for players to be taught skills at a tender age and ensure that when they are older they would be well-rounded players.
Chimanda-Sithole said the Bulawayo Juniors League was very competitive although there were some who engaged in age-cheating, which he said would not be tolerated.
“We are now taking stern measures on those who engage in age-cheating right from the player, the coaches and officials. Anyone caught on the wrong side will be banned because you would be stifling the growth of the sport and it is against the spirit of fair play that Fifa has been talking about,” he said.
Chimanda-Sithole chided national team coaches for failing to take time to watch matches involving provincial leagues sides as they were missing out on enlisting good players.
He said it was time coaches stopped having the notion that only good players are found in the Premiership and outside the country.
“We have good players that can make the grade in various national teams and my plea to national team coaches is cast the net wider, come to D2 matches you might find a gem there.
“We are also coming up with a provincial squad, with a great focus on youths and we will encourage other provinces to do the same so we can play against each other as part of talent identification,” added Chimanda-Sithole.
He also urged the corporate world to support grassroots football because players do not just emerge to be at the top but start somewhere.
Chimanda-Sithole said it was unfortunate the corporate world would only recognise and supports talent at the top level but were founding wanting at the grassroots.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter