Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
DETE-based Ponel Youth Soccer Academy awarded prizes to their best performing players, in a bid to motivate them to continue doing well as they advance in the game.
The academy grooms over 100 young football players from the ages of 7 to 18.
With this season having just ended a few weeks ago, the academy, which plies its trade in the Zifa Southern Region development league, saw it fit to give its players accolades to cap the year on a high note.
Last weekend, players, coaches and parents gathered in Dete for the event that was also graced by the local business community.
Ponel Youth Soccer Academy director Nelson Ndeka said it was important that they hold the awards ceremony as they wanted to instill confidence in players and help them motivate each other.
“We held the event to thank our players for having put up the effort to play throughout the year and end it on a positive note,” said Ndeka.
He said 10 awards were issued on the day.
“The idea was to have as many awards being given. Every player deserved to be recognised because of the way they played but, only the best had to be awarded.
“We created more awards and also added another where we thanked the business community and parents for their continued support in the growth of the academy. These awards are a motivating factor. Players perform well when they see good performances from their teammates,” he said.
The Best Player of the Season was Witness Ngwenga. The award for the Most Consistent Player went to Frank Wabayi.
The Players’ Choice was Meluleki Dube. For the Golden Boot Award was Leeroy Mabaso who ended the season on 12 goals while the Golden Glove Award went to Fortune Mabaso.
Dumoluhle Ngwenya was named the Most Disciplined Player.
Other accolades went to Learnmore Sibanda for being the Most Loyal. Nigel Chiwanza was the Rookie of the Year. Desmond Mhlanga was named the Most Promising Player.
Ndeka said also gracing the occasion was coach Tafi Nengasha, David Zulu an official for the Premier Soccer League in Matabeleland North province.
“Our event was also graced by a local referees representative Billy Gwati. We extend our hearty thanks to all businesses that contributed to the academy this year and hope to continue strengthening such ties.” — @NkosieLegend.
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