Emmanuel Chitsika
Chivi South’s Sunday Soccer League race has reached climax and the battle for honors was blown wide open by Shongamiti FC after they derailed Athletico Mususu’s title charge with a 2-1 victory last weekend.
With one round of fixtures to go, Athletico Mususu title aspirations were dampened by mid-table Shongamiti leaving the contest open for the two (the former and new log leaders Predators (FC) though the teams are tied on similar number of points as well as goal difference.
Speaking to TellZim News, the league’s chairperson Tamuka Dewa said the league which started way back in March is set to be concluded on August 21 where eventual winners would be crowned.
“The league started in March when we raised money to the tune of R 11 000 through affiliation by the 11 clubs each paying R 1 000. The R 11 000 prize money is to be shared by the top four teams. About sponsorship, we just sponsored ourselves as clubs.
“The first four teams will pocket R4 500 (first position), R 3 000 (second placed), R 2 500 (third position) while fourth-placed team would get R 1 000 with the remaining R 1 000 being shared by the referees,” said Dewa.
He went on to say participating in sport has helped bring about a number of benefits to the youth among them reduced crime rate and arrest drug abuse.
“The league has played a positive role in reducing crime rate in the communities geographically under our teams’ jurisdiction. Cases of theft among the youth have been on a decline as the young people are always occupied.
“The league also preaches anti-drug abuse and thus young people are discouraged from taking substances like Mutoriro among others. Young people are also getting the opportunity to showcase their talent. Social ties are being improved through football leading to love, unity and peace. There have been reduced social tensions usually common among the youth,” he added.
The league whose name is the brain child of secretary ‘Jacksparrow’ Jacob Chigwa was founded by Dewa who sold the idea to the former and word spread leading to the formation.
The league is made up of teams within five to 35 kilometer radius of Ngundu Business Centre.
The league’s executive is made up of Tamuka Dewa (chairperson) deputized by Obedience Chituramani, Jacob Chigwa (secretary), Peter Moyo (vice secretary), Kudakwashe Ngundu and Jonathan Nyangombe (treasurers) while Delight Hwata and Tatenda Madhau oversee the referees committee.
