adminAS an exponent of the oft mentioned “Catch Them Young” concept I firmly accepted an invite to be part of a cocktail at a local hotel, to “announce” the arrival of the Copa Coca-Cola finals back to their origin, this beautiful city of Bulawayo, the “former” City of Football Kings.
And YES I rubbed shoulders with this part of the country’s TRUE version of football’s REAL role models. Among that doyen the multi-talented, real advocates, and real football talent to emerge from this part of the country was Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo.
She was just a marvel to watch in her heydays, turning out for the late Haverson Masilela’s (MHDSRIP) undisputed Queens of Zimbabwean women’s football, New Orleans.
When an MC of the day invited members of the media to pose with our football legends, including Boyz I chose as much as possible to be nearer isikhokho okuthiwa ngu Boyz.
But there were other football legends in attendance, some of whom who cut their teeth by participating in the Copa Coca-Cola. They included Dazzy Kapenya, Chipo Tsodzo, Johannes “Tshisa’’ Ngodzo, Ronald “Gidizia’’ Sibanda, Noel Kaseke and Douglas “British’’ Mloyi.
Of course not forgetting the affable Ndumiso Gumede, now the Highlanders FC CEO.
The long and short of it is that the tournament is back here in Bulawayo where it all started in 1987.
Ongafuniyo kayekele!
Copa Coca-Cola is a global initiative committed to giving millions of young football fans the opportunity to come together and celebrate their passion for football, as well as a chance to realise their greatest potential by living an active healthy lifestyle. Yeye!
We have said it before, this is an impressive initiative that the country needed; a system of self-replacement or replenishment, a necessary tool for the country to survive as a footballing nation. If you have doubts about what I am driving to come and watch the finals today at BF.
Players need to be introduced to our competitive teams as a continual process of replacement.
It is in the light of the search for such longevity that we should continue to press for even better talent identification, grooming and all round development of youth in football in Zimbabwe.
We have said it before that development of the youth should not be left to chance but should be an ongoing process.
It should be re-emphasised that more than any other sport football exerts an exceptional power on the people, and more so on the youngsters.
That is why we are indebted to the benevolence of Copa Coca-Coal for their noble initiative that we are now witnessing in Bulawayo which should deservedly be equated to the “Catch Them Young’’ concept.
Incepted 27 years ago and ironically here in Bulawayo the tournament has undoubtedly aided youngsters to reach their potential.
It has created avenues to raise stars from the grassroots, has managed to identify the, hitherto, hidden future sports stars/icons, bringing them to the limelight. Through the tournament Copa Coca-Cola has assisted young athletes to develop their skills, understand team play and appreciate what Pele once called the “most beautiful game”.
And above all it has led to Yours Truly to embrace the moniker “Love dat game”.
We can only take this opportunity to say “Let’s meet at BF this morning’’ as the emerging talent takes us through thrills and spills in the finals.
derick.khumalo