After successfully hosting the junior provincial tournament last weekend that culminated in the setting up of the national Under-14 soccer team, Zifa technical advisor Klaus Pagels, who initiated the programme, said a lot still needs to be done if the country’s football fortunes are to improve.
Speaking during the send-off ceremony for two German journalists — Inka Blumensaat and Sven Wilbenhayn, who came to the country last week to assess Pagels’ work — the German national said the country should invest more in junior development. Pagels poured in $15 000 for the weekend tournament that saw a total of 52 players being selected into the Under-14 national team, a first of its kind in the history of Zimbabwean football.
“I’m very happy that the tournament went on well. Players were selected from district level which led to the formation of the Under-14 national team. This should not stop here. We need to come up with the Under-16 and Under-18 teams so that we can build a strong foundation for the Under-23 and the national team.
“Sponsors should also come in and help this initiative. Imagine if we had such a successful event on a $15 000 budget, what more with a solid one? I’m meeting some local prospective sponsors next week who have shown interest in supporting junior football,” said Pagels.
Pagels, who is in the country on a Germany-Zimbabwe partnership on junior development programmes, has held numerous coaching courses for grassroots coaches. A total of 1 200 coaches across the country have benefited through his courses.
Pleased by his work, Germany has extended his contract by another one-and-half years. Pagels confirmed the contract extension yesterday.
The send-off ceremony, which was held at the Zimbabwe Germany Society Institute, was graced by the Germany Ambassador to Zimbabwe Gnodtke Hans, Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda and Under-23 national foootball team coach Peter Ndlovu.
