ZIFA learns of Under 15 national league $50k grant

Fungai Muderere
IT turns out all along those that have been at the Zifa offices before the current office bearers were sleeping on duty.

FIFA, sponsors affiliatesa�� national Under 15 Leagues to the tune ofA� $50 000 per annum but Zimbabwe has never bothered to apply for this money.

The new establishment got to know about it recently, meaning those before the Philip Chiyangwa led executive had no clue.

a�?FifaA� sponsors national Under 15 leagues. We recently learnt about this. We dona��t know what was happening before we came into office,a�? said Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda.

When the window opens Zifa will apply for the grant.

a�?As soon as everything is in order we will apply for that grant and Zifa is looking forward to working with everyone who is involved in grassroots soccer development,a�? Sibanda added.

For instance the COPA Coca-Cola schools tournament falls into that bracket.A� In most casesA� players for Under 15 and 17 national are drawn from the tournament.

Retired legends and current footballers such asA� Peter a�?Nsukuzonke” Ndlovu, Cephas Chimedza, Harlignton Shereni, Vusa a�?Sgcebhea�? Nyoni, Johannes Ngodzo, Voster Chitema , Ariel Sibanda, Ovidy Karuru and Norman Maroto among others were discovered through youth initiatives.