Zifa host Fifa grassroots development course

hammered home the importance of junior development structures.
Thondoo is conducting a coaching course for 60 primary school teachers and youth community coaches at Prince Edward.
The course, which started yesterday, will run until September 30 prior to a football festival set for October .
Speaking at the opening ceremony last week, Thondoo said there was need to build a strong foundation through grassroots development.
“Grassroots is an important aspect of football. It’s is there to offer football to everybody without discrimination from the age of 6 to 12.
“Our objective is to offer football to as many children as possible.
“Grassroots development automatically leads to discovery of talent, this is the foundation of football development in the country,” he said.
Thondoo said for grassroots development to be viable, there was need to involve all stakeholders, including the government and parents.
“For grassroots there is need for teamwork, that is Fifa, Zifa, Ministry of education, sport, health, NGOs, parents, teachers and volunteers. Everybody can join in the grassroots development,” said Thondoo.
The Fifa expert said they were focusing on topics such as how to organise and manage a large number of children in their age groups from 6 to 12 years and the types of activities to organise.
Thondoo said they were also going to explain the difference between a tournament and festival.
“During the week we will have different types of tournaments and models of a festival.
“We are also going to focus on how to stimulate kids to play football and enjoy it and to become good players,” said Thondoo.
Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive, Stanley Mutoya, who was the guest of honour, commended Zifa for hosting the course.
“I take great interest and immense respect for the development of the game of football the world over.
“As such, I commend Zifa for going back to the basics and no doubt, the results are guaranteed in the long term. Grassroots football development is synonymous with junior development.
Zifa chief executive, Jonathan Mashingaidze also reiterated the importance of grassroots development.
Mashingaidze, however, noted that this was a process that needed patience from all stakeholders.