…football
clubs urged to embrace junior policy
clubs urged to embrace junior policy
Clayton Shereni
Football
clubs and national teams in Europe are envied throughout the world for their
consistency in sport development support through the several early talent- identification
practices they have put in place.
clubs and national teams in Europe are envied throughout the world for their
consistency in sport development support through the several early talent- identification
practices they have put in place.
Their
unwavering support for young players is evident in the creation of football academies
and partnerships with tournament organisers and sponsors.
unwavering support for young players is evident in the creation of football academies
and partnerships with tournament organisers and sponsors.
In
Zimbabwe, football clubs, academies and junior national teams have a chance to
scout for fresh, raw talent at the prestigious Copa Coca Cola schools soccer
tournament which is held annually.
Zimbabwe, football clubs, academies and junior national teams have a chance to
scout for fresh, raw talent at the prestigious Copa Coca Cola schools soccer
tournament which is held annually.
For
the past 31 years, football-loving high school pupils have found succor in the
country’s largest schools tournament; a platform for them to showcase their
talent of the world’s most beautiful game.
the past 31 years, football-loving high school pupils have found succor in the
country’s largest schools tournament; a platform for them to showcase their
talent of the world’s most beautiful game.
The
tournament has been going on for the past 31 years and nine years for boys and
girls football players respectively.
tournament has been going on for the past 31 years and nine years for boys and
girls football players respectively.
The
tournament has so far lived up to expectations; with organisers inviting the
Premier Soccer League (PSL) and academies to scout for talent at this year’s edition
of the tournament.
tournament has so far lived up to expectations; with organisers inviting the
Premier Soccer League (PSL) and academies to scout for talent at this year’s edition
of the tournament.
Meanwhile,
the local football mother body Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has made
calls to local clubs to adopt a junior policy and sign young football stars in
their squads.
the local football mother body Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has made
calls to local clubs to adopt a junior policy and sign young football stars in
their squads.
Football
clubs in the country are, however, not doing enough in terms of promoting young
talent but are rather going for ripe and ready 19 and 20 year-olds.
clubs in the country are, however, not doing enough in terms of promoting young
talent but are rather going for ripe and ready 19 and 20 year-olds.
Looking
at the history of some of the country’s biggest players, it can be seen that
Copa Coca-Cola played a part in their growth.
at the history of some of the country’s biggest players, it can be seen that
Copa Coca-Cola played a part in their growth.
Players
like Peter Ndlovu, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Artwell Mukandi and Kaizer Chiefs
talisman Khama Billiat owe part of their success to the tournament.
like Peter Ndlovu, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Artwell Mukandi and Kaizer Chiefs
talisman Khama Billiat owe part of their success to the tournament.
Speaking
to TellZim News after this year’s tournament which was held in Kadoma from July
11-13, former Warriors defender John Phiri, who was among the invited guests,
applauded the organisers and sponsors for developing future stars.
to TellZim News after this year’s tournament which was held in Kadoma from July
11-13, former Warriors defender John Phiri, who was among the invited guests,
applauded the organisers and sponsors for developing future stars.
He
said clubs had of late failed to take the opportunity and partner Copa
Coca-Cola in efforts to develop future football stars.
said clubs had of late failed to take the opportunity and partner Copa
Coca-Cola in efforts to develop future football stars.
“Copa
Coca Cola is developing these young stars and the clubs should come, identify
and nurture talent being exhibited here so that we create an opportunity for
these players to grow. They are aiming to play at the highest level so there
should be professional coaches teaching these boys and girls some techniques,”
said Phiri.
Coca Cola is developing these young stars and the clubs should come, identify
and nurture talent being exhibited here so that we create an opportunity for
these players to grow. They are aiming to play at the highest level so there
should be professional coaches teaching these boys and girls some techniques,”
said Phiri.
National
Association of School Heads (NASH) head-in-charge of football Tranos Mbwirire said
football clubs in the country must intensify their efforts to introduce junior
policies at their clubs in order to improve football standards in the country.
Association of School Heads (NASH) head-in-charge of football Tranos Mbwirire said
football clubs in the country must intensify their efforts to introduce junior
policies at their clubs in order to improve football standards in the country.
“The
problem with most of our big teams in the country is they don’t have any junior
policy. They always go for tried and tested players but it is high time they come
up with new strategies. If we pull together, we would go a long way in
developing soccer in Zimbabwe,” said Mbwirire.
problem with most of our big teams in the country is they don’t have any junior
policy. They always go for tried and tested players but it is high time they come
up with new strategies. If we pull together, we would go a long way in
developing soccer in Zimbabwe,” said Mbwirire.
This
year’s tourney was star-studded, with both boys and girls players giving
outstanding performances in their respective categories.
year’s tourney was star-studded, with both boys and girls players giving
outstanding performances in their respective categories.
In
the boys category, Prince Edward were crowned champions after beating
Rusununguko with a goal to nil to win the trophy for the first time after four
attempts in which they always lost in the finals.
the boys category, Prince Edward were crowned champions after beating
Rusununguko with a goal to nil to win the trophy for the first time after four
attempts in which they always lost in the finals.
The
center of attraction in the finals was PE’s midfielder Alvin Dube who scored
the decisive goal and was later named player of the tournament
center of attraction in the finals was PE’s midfielder Alvin Dube who scored
the decisive goal and was later named player of the tournament
Another
notable player in the boys’ category was Rusununguko striker Dylan Gumbe who
was instrumental in his side’s superb run up to the final match of the
tournament although he missed a scoring chance from the penalty spot in the
finals.
notable player in the boys’ category was Rusununguko striker Dylan Gumbe who
was instrumental in his side’s superb run up to the final match of the
tournament although he missed a scoring chance from the penalty spot in the
finals.
Prince
Edward shot stopper and goalkeeper of the tournament Ronald Uraya proved to be
a future star by showcasing a solid performance.
Edward shot stopper and goalkeeper of the tournament Ronald Uraya proved to be
a future star by showcasing a solid performance.
The
girls’ category was won by Mpopoma High School; a team which had some of the
most talented players with noticeable potential to play for the Mighty Warriors
in the near future.
girls’ category was won by Mpopoma High School; a team which had some of the
most talented players with noticeable potential to play for the Mighty Warriors
in the near future.
Other
notable players from other teams were midfielder Bethel Kondo of Nyamauru High and
Nataly Mbavha of Mwenezi High.
notable players from other teams were midfielder Bethel Kondo of Nyamauru High and
Nataly Mbavha of Mwenezi High.
These
are just but a few picks from the vast talent pool that this year’s Copa
Coca-Cola tournament presented.
are just but a few picks from the vast talent pool that this year’s Copa
Coca-Cola tournament presented.
The
ball is now in the coat of local clubs and academies in major cities to take
advantage of this talent and develop it.
ball is now in the coat of local clubs and academies in major cities to take
advantage of this talent and develop it.
