adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
FOUR South Africa-based Bulawayans have teamed up to sponsor a junior soccer tournament to be held next month to the tune of $2,000.
Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Mthulisi Sibanda, Elias Ngoma and Albert Ali will sponsor the competition dubbed Emakhandeni Legends.
The quartet hopes that their effort will land a helping hand in creating more interest in the once flourishing Bulawayo Province.
Sponsorship of activities in the city for junior soccer has been a bare minimal over the years.
The tournament has been cleared by Zifa and teams are set to play from April 19-21 at Emakhandeni.
Speaking from his base in South Africa, Sibanda, who is also the sponsors’ spokesman said they have long thought of the idea of supporting junior football in the city. He said they had found it worthwhile to plough back their earnings to the sport and development of youths.
“We took heed of the call by football authorities to have businessmen assisting our football financially. Now, having observed that our youngsters barely get financial support or even recognition, this was the best way to honour teams and individuals that continue to keep junior soccer alive.
“Despite the harsh economic environment threatening the growth of soccer in the country, it is pleasing that some people continue to keep the hopes of future stars alive. There is no better way than to assist Zimbabwe’s promising talent.”
Sibanda said they were inspired by the level of commitment and talent in the city’s soccer teams.
“From time to time we come home and organise tournaments for social teams and the popular one is the monthly clash of Omalayitsha and other South Africa-based businessmen. Of course we promoted unity amongst ourselves using sport but it was not beneficial to society.
“Why not give that money to junior football? We asked ourselves. We envy what our South African counterparts do in sport. It is our hope that this tournament will go a long way to lure other business people to help develop local football.”
The sponsors have said Zifa will run the tournament since they are the technical experts in football.
Online Reporter