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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
A packed Avoca Cultural Centre Hall in Filabusi, Matabeleland South witnessed the official launch of the Godlwayo South Soccer League (GSSL) sponsorship with the financial boost expected to bring in competitiveness among the 13 teams as players now have something to play for.
Insiza South Member of Parliament Malachi Nkomo, council chairperson Daniel Mpofu, local councillors Dumisani Mathuthu, Jubali Dube, Douglas Sibanda and Lawrence Maphosa, GSSL board members as well as executive, Zimbabwe Football Association Matabeleland South board member Lameck Ndlovu, two of the sponsors, Bhekimpilo Maranda Sithole and Kossam Mavuna Ndlovu attended the launch. Also present was Mpumelelo Moyo, the Insiza Godlwayo Aids Council director. Chief Vezi Maduna did not attend the launch but had a feel and appreciation of the winners trophy at the end of the event.
Winners of the GSSL will take home a trophy accompanied by $500, $300 provided by the sponsors while $200 was pledged by Nkomo, $200 is in store for the runners up, $100 for the team in third place and $50 for fourth spot. From position five to 13, each team will get $30. The best referee in the GSSL will walk away with $60, the most disciplined player will pocket $25 while $50 and a trophy are in store for the top goal scorer.
An awards ceremony is planned for the same venue as the sponsorship launch when the league concludes in November where a cow will be slaughtered for the guests to feast on. The teams that make up the GSSL are Singwambizi, Mbembesi, Bambanani, Mapeume, Vokola, Mbondweni, Mabuze, Maduna, Avoca, Dekezi, Hlatshwayo, Sidzibe and Silalatshani.
Sithole, who is also the GSSL board chairman said they felt compelled to raise sponsorship for the GSSL which started in 2015 after the first two seasons went without any incentives for the teams.
“The honourable came to us and said the boys play but there is nothing for them, what are you guys doing about it? We agreed that let’s pay back to the community, we played in 2015 there was nothing and in 2016 we played there was nothing. Come 2017 we said whatever little we might have let’s put it together, someone big might come in as well,’’ said Sithole.
Calling themselves Triple M, Sithole and Ndlovu in partnership with Zibusiso Majankwe Ncube decided to lead the way with the hope that others will join in. Sithole made it clear that they have no other intentions besides to uplift their communities through football.
“We chose to be the leading light by sponsoring the 2017 league. We have no other intentions when we hold our tournaments, we are paying back to the community with no conditions attached. We as Triple M, are looking to go forward. We are looking to host tournaments and we allow other sponsors to run other tournaments,’’ he said.
The biggest dream for the GSSL is to have a team from Insiza playing in the Premier Soccer League, something that future generations might be able to accomplish.
“We might not be able to achieve our dream, some people will take over this in future and maybe achieve the goals and boys from here will play at Barbourfields, who knows,’’ Sithole said.
Nkomo, who played a huge part in the setting up of the GSSL highlighted how others had tried to derail the league by having their own motives but did not succeed because the owners refused.
“Our people used to cross over to play in Mberengwa until they realised that it doesn’t help to play there, it’s better to play on their own. It was a painful journey trying to start this league, we all know where people are gathered others have their own motives.
When this league started, others came with their ways of wanting to disturb it. Others have tried to hijack it but the owners refused. Godlwayo league as Sithole has put it is to assist our youngsters, it should not be used for other things,’’ Nkomo said.
He informed the gathering that he met with the Minister of Sports and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane as well as the principal director in that ministry Benson Dube. Nkomo said that the two informed him to come to their offices to collect 50 soccer balls meant for the constituency. These are certain to benefit the teams in the GSSL which got a soccer ball each from Triple M last Sunday.
Nkomo expressed his gratefulness to the existence of the GSSL with his concern being the future of the players. He suggested that the league leadership as well as those in charge of the community teams to find ways of creating income generating projects in order to look after the players.
GSSL executive chairman Norman Sibanda chronicled the history of the league as he highlighted the challenges they have faced along the way which included two players suffering horrendous injuries which resulted in one of them seeking treatment in South Africa.
The biggest achievement by the GSSL was when they brought Highlanders Division One side to Vokola Business Centre in February last year where they got to play against a GSSL select. Ncube said five players were spotted by Bosso on that day with one of them getting a chance to be invited for trials but did not make it.
If last Sunday’s enthusiasm is anything to judge by, the coming months should serve up some excitement on football fields of Insiza South as the 13 teams fight to be crowned champions come the end of the season.
@Mdawini_29
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