Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MWALIMU KUMBULA is just 18 and still trying to fully find his feet in tennis.
But he has already earned a cult hero status in Epworth, where he has helped unearth more than 20 top footballers.
It is an initiative that was started by his father in his name, and he continues to push.
For more than a decade, Kumbula has been a god of some sort, providing a platform for talented youngsters to blossom into fully fledged players through his annual tournament.
Through the initiative, top footballers like multi-Premier Soccer League champion Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo and his GreenFuel teammate Blessing Kagudu have come into being.
Mighty Warriors stars Danai Bhobho and Egness Tumbare as well as Herentals Queens defensive mainstay Talent Mukwanda have all been unearthed from this tournament.
And on Saturday, Kumbula staged yet another massive tournament that attracted over 500 youngsters at Kubatana Primary in Epworth.
“This tournament has been about so much more than competition.
“It’s been about opportunity, the chance for young players to test themselves, to grow, and to dream. “It has been a platform to showcase the results of countless hours of training and discipline.
“This tournament is part of your football journey, and it could be the first of many steps towards great things,” said Kumbula.
“Who knows? Among you could be the next big names in Zimbabwean football, or even future stars playing in the Premier League one day. Every great player, from Harare to London, from Bulawayo to Manchester, from Epworth to Barcelona began somewhere just like this, on local pitches, full of passion and talent surrounded by teammates and community.”
Tumbare, who is tipped to win the ZWPSL soccer star of the year accolade concurred: “This is the tournament that ushered me into football to be honest. Not just me but a lot of players like Mukwanda, Chitiyo and Kagudu among others.”
Kumbula once played football at some stage but it is that passion that knocked something into his father Musekiwa who then undertook to help him sponsor the annual tournament.
