Dear Editor On July 10 2001, I was at Rufaro Stadium watching a game between our Young Warriors and the Amaglug-glug of South Africa.
I do not want to take anything away from this young crop of players, but I feel that Zimbabwe lacks continuity in football development.
I believe proper structures should be put in place in order to achieve the much-needed goals. Soccer academies such as Ali Sundowns, Aces Youth Academy, DC Academy and Startrack Academy should get assistance from the government and not be left to individual owners. It is tough to sponsor the academies.
I have watched Knowledge Musona playing. He is exceptional. This shows we have talent in Zimbabwe, but we must revive the junior leagues and fund these academies.
Players like Achford Gutu, Matthew Rusike, Denvar Mukamba and others have not been playing together for a long time.
They can’t just be called a few days before a tournament. Little is being done to come up with a strong policy to nurture the young talent we have in Zimbabwe.
We should take a cue from South Africa and Ghana who have developed their junior teams and are performing well.
It is disheartening to learn that Zifa always blunders when it comes to the welfare of our national team.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Other sporting disciplines are well-catered for. I would like to urge the Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart to address this problem.
Zimbabwe can become a powerful footballing nation if proper structures are put in place. The government must support football development. I would also like to suggest that schools revisit their school calendar and ensure that football is played every term.
Football has also become a marketing tool to today’s business.
It also creates employment. A lot of people have benefited from football. We must be seen taking a paradigm shift from the way we are running our football in this country. The Asiagate probe must net all culprits too. Leonard Koni, Hatcliffe, Harare
