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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
LUKE Petros has admitted it’s now impossible to save Whawha from imminent relegation.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services team are languishing at the bottom of the log with a meagre 20 points with only four games before the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season ends.
But Petros’ efforts have been remarkable, leading a team which didn’t have enough financial resources.
He had to turn to young players who needed a platform to showcase themselves, including odds-on favourite for the Rookie of the Year award Jayden Bakare and Calum English-Brown.
Petros also had to scout for talent from rural areas, most particularly Wedza where he also snatched goalkeeper Allan Masaya in a series of tournaments being hosted and funded by Parkston Choto who hails from the area. The series, which was introduced early this year at St Paul’s Sango, has become a hunting ground for Petros and several other league and academy coaches.
The Whawha gaffer has also taken aboard a number of outfield players like Joe Nyahuye from the same tournament.
“I would like to salute people like Parkston Choto who have seen it necessary to give rural boys a platform to showcase their talent. I tell you there is abundance of raw talent in Wedza and obviously other rural areas. I have earmarked a number of players for incorporation into the First Division and the Premier League,” said Petros.
“Since Choto introduced the series, I have rarely missed an opportunity to be in Wedza to scout for more players. I have also invited several coaches to also scan around at the tournaments.”
The next tournament will be held at Wedza Centre tomorrow with 12 teams set to battle it out for the grand prize of US$2 000.
Sango, Wedza United, Mhakwe, Mhembwe and Chemhanza along with guest teams from Harare and Chinhoyi are expected to weigh each other in a competition several Premier Soccer League coaches are also expected to attend.
Parkston Choto, who has used over US$15 000 since the first tournament in April this year, said the idea is to afford the youngsters an opportunity to get noticed while also giving the older ones a chance to earn from playing football.
“Look, I was raised in a village and attended St Paul’s Sango in Wedza. I was a keen footballer growing up. But, I lacked the much-needed exposure to make it in the professional circles.
“I also know of several age-mates in areas like Chisasike, Goto, Matsvai, Numwa, Ruswa, Matsine, Chigondo and Makwarimba whose talent went unnoticed,” said Choto.
“This is the reason why I introduced a series of tournaments to afford the youngsters a chance to be scouted. We are also making sure those who no longer have a future in professional football are also afforded a chance to earn something from playing the game.
“We think that way, we can help them move away from drugs or reduce gender-based violence. We believe football is a key tool to fight vice. We intend to eventually establish professional teams while still catering for those who cannot make it in the professional circles.
“Starting from next year, we will be introducing a league format for both football and netball so that everyone earns from playing sport.”
Choto said he was expecting stiff competition in tomorrow’s tournament.
“Twelve teams will battle it out and I am looking forward to seeing top competition as always. The last time, Sango won the tournament at Mhembwe two weeks ago but the competition was stiff.
“We are going to Wedza with several coaches from the PSL and lower divisions so they can scout for talented players for further development.”
Online Reporter