Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
BULAWAYO’S futsal scene is buzzing, and it just got a massive boost from the top!
Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) technical director Dominique Niyozima made a high-profile visit to the Gwabalanda-based Football for Hope Centre, the beating heart of the city’s five-a-side action, in a move that signals a bold new era for the fast-growing sport.
For years, the venue has been home to thrilling league encounters, but now it’s firmly in the national spotlight.
Niyozima’s tour wasn’t just ceremonial.
“It was a hands-on inspection of facilities, standards, and the game’s readiness to step onto a bigger stage,” said the experienced Niyozima, who hails from Burundi and was appointed Zifa technical director in August last year to take over from Jethro Hunidzarira.
But the excitement doesn’t end there.
The Zifa technical chief is set to return on May 3 for the official kick-off of the futsal league season at Gwabalanda’s Fifa Ground, an event already being hailed as a watershed moment for the code.
The message is loud and clear: futsal is no longer just a grassroots pastime; it’s a rising force in the Zimbabwean sporting arena.
Zimbabwe Futsal president Philani Banda could hardly contain his excitement.
“This is a defining moment for futsal in Zimbabwe,” he declared.
“Zifa’s involvement shows real commitment. We’re ready to take this game to the next level. The involvement of the Zimbabwe Football Association technical leadership demonstrates a serious commitment to growing the sport. We are excited about the upcoming league launch in Gwabalanda and the opportunities it will create for players, coaches, and communities. Five-a-side has immense potential to complement football development in this country, and we are ready to embrace that future,” Banda said.
Banda believes the compact, high-intensity version of football has the power to transform player development across the country, complementing the traditional 11-a-side game while opening doors for new talent.
Behind the scenes, plans are already in motion to professionalise the sport, from improving infrastructure to aligning with global futsal standards.
And for aspiring match officials, opportunity is knocking.
Zimbabwe Futsal will host a referees’ training course in Bulawayo from May 1 to 3, targeting young enthusiasts aged 25 and below. With certification up for grabs, the next generation of futsal officials is being called into action.
From township courts to national ambition, futsal’s rise is gathering pace, and Bulawayo is right at the centre of the action. -@FungaiMuderere
