There are no shortcuts in sport – Nyoni

By Lovemore Dube

FOOTBALL gains should be a result of meticulous planning, implementation and evaluation resource investment too.

There are no short cuts in sport, said former Zimbabwe Under-17, 20 and 23 international Aleck Nyoni.

He said this at a talent showcase held in Manjolo, Binga.

“The process can be long and painful, it is worth it. We long for better talent to bring back crowds to stadia.

“A lot of investment is needed at grassroots level. You need to have the passion and patience for it, results are there. Most of our generation came through real development programmes and a supportive infrastructure around,” said Nyoni who turned out for Hwange FC in both Division One and the Zimbabwe Premiership.

Nyoni challenged clubs and academy owners not to shun rural areas. He said there were many benefits to promoting sport and rural kids.

“Today a talent may have been inspired. The community spent the day engaged in football, such is the power of sport, it helps in social integration and sport can create employment and business for the day. So many people benefited from the hosting.

“It was sports tourism, lots of cars transported people to the venue, vendors too came in numbers and spent the day making money,” said Nyoni.

Nyoni was impressed with the talent exhibited by some Under-16s.

“I saw great talent here. You could tell those that are coached frequently and those that are used to ’11 v 11, let’s play’ training regimes. Perhaps going forward there should be elementary coaches courses at village or district level. The passion is there and what lacks are trained referees and coaches. I also appeal to people to donate balls, uniforms, whistles, referees’ kit to motivate the many volunteers in the sport like those we saw in Binga,” said Nyoni.

Co-director of TwinMat Soccer Academy which is based in Harare, Ruben Mataka said he was happy with the proceedings and talent he saw on display.

“There is so much talent here. I wish to return and watch the kids for a second opinion.

“But in the meantime one boy has made an impression on us,” said Mataka, a respected lawyer based in Harare who has passion for the game.

Twine Phiri, the other director of the academy which sponsored the showcase said he had noted previous mistakes in the game.

“There is so much talent around the country. I have decided as a way of giving back to sport to go to remote areas and unearth youngsters who I hope can be groomed for the future.

“There is a need for us to invest at grassroot level, develop coaches and referees so that they impart good skills to players from an early age. Catching them when they are older could be too late to make some change bad habits despite the talent they have,” said Phiri.

Phiri said they had concluded a deal with one kid.

“Even if we concluded a deal for one boy, it is worth the sacrifice. Real talent rarely comes in dozens, it’s in bits and drabs, I am happy with the returns from high expenditure. I am convinced it is the way we must go for talent for the future,” said Phiri.

Recently many players with Binga roots have emerged in the Zimbabwe football landscape.