Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
PREPARATIONS for the launch of the Hwange Amateur Football Association, popularly as Wafa are gathering pace and already, interested teams have been invited to register.
The association’s steering committee led by chairman Thulani Moyo has laid down plans on how the league will be run.
Wafa folded two decades ago and was played for by teams from all settlements in Hwange town and surrounding areas. The community teams would play competitively every weekend.
The revival of the games was seen as a chance to give talented young footballers more game time, according to Moyo. The local league is expected to help youngsters avoid drugs, alcohol and other social vices that have been a thorn in the flesh in urban communities of late.
Moyo said they were pulling all strings to start the league this year.
“The plan is to have Wafa revived so that football clubs will be able to harvest talented players just like what used to happen when the league was running. The reasoning was that we can still have Wafa back, so that we double up what we gained during that time.
“We aim to address the issue of making sure that the young generation in Hwange getting occupied in sport than any other issues that might destroy their health and mess up the future such as engaging in drugs. We want to guard the youngsters to make a career in football,” said Moyo.
He said they saw no hurdles in getting the competition started as it will be run on a low cost.
“This is a league that can run at a very low cost. All the teams will afford to fulfil their games. We have not really put up a cap on the number of teams but if we have about 18 of them, it will be great.
“Our jurisdiction will be Hwange urban and partly rural areas such as St Mary’s. There are teams that have shown interest there. So, we are going to spill into Hwange rural but, the bulk of the teams will come from the urban area.”
The date of the league start has not been set. Moyo revealed that they would want to first put all systems in order.
“There are three things that we are doing before the league commences. Firstly, we are inviting teams that are interested to register with us so that we know who we are dealing with and give them the terms and conditions.
“Secondly, we are trying to formalise ourselves with institutions like the Zimbabwe Football Association so that we are able to get referees. We are also engaging the local authorities on facilities. Once we do these, we can then move on to the next stage and launch the league,” said Moyo.
Other members in the steering committee are the vice chairperson Collen Sibanda, secretary general Lunyalalo Ncube and Faki Tshuma (treasurer).
There are three committee members, Alec Nyoni, James Simwanza and Mbongeni Ncube.
Former Hwange goalkeeper Weekly Mwale was chosen as the honorary president.
Online Reporter