Zifa Byo awards clubs, players

THE ZIMBABWE Football Association (Bulawayo Metropolitan province) yesterday honoured clubs and players who excelled during the just ended season at an awards ceremony held at a city hotel yesterday.
Bankrolled to the tune of $3 500 by Willsgrove Farm, the ceremony was attended by acting Zifa president Omega Sibanda, southern region chairman Musa Mandaza, Bulawayo chairperson Washington Chimanda-Sithole, the national association’s life member Cecilia Malunga, Bulawayo City chairman Jerry Sibanda who was the guest of honour and Willsgrove Farm director John Mutero.

Division Three winners How Mine received $800 while runners up Chiwororo took home $700. Chiwororo got a further $200 for being the most disciplined team in the league.

Talen Vision walked away with $1 000 as well as a shield as the Division Two champions with $900 accompanied by a shield going the way of Highlanders Academy the runners up while Toronto took the most disciplined team accolade worth $200.

Highlanders Academy striker Prince Dube picked up the top goal scorer award for finding the target 20 times, a gong that did not come with any monetary incentive.

In the juniors category, Highlanders got first prizes in the Serie A in Under-14 and Under-18 while Bantu Rovers won the Under-16 league.

Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda, in his brief address called upon the provincial leadership to end the squabbles that continue to characterise the juniors’ setup and desist from acts of personal hatred among the administrators.

Bulawayo City chairman Jerry Sibanda said the financial support from Willsgrove Farm will motivate the lower clubs and bring about stiff competition among these clubs as they had something to compete for.

Mutero pledged his company’s support to Zifa Bulawayo with the sponsorship for year’s awards to be increased to $6 000. Yesterday’s ceremony was also financially backed by Ingwebu Breweries and Arenel.