The United States Embassy staff sponsored Obama Boys Football Club are the 2014 champions of the Harare Professionals Soccer League (hPSL).
By Yolanda Bokang Ndlovu for AMHvoices
The winners were crowned by hPSL chairperson Tapiwa Mhiko at a colourful ceremony attended by Ambassador Bruce Wharton and his staff as well as various sponsors of the club at the Harare International School grounds last Saturday.
In its second year, the hPSL is a nonprofessional league formed by commercial companies and nongovernmental organisations to provide a platform for entertainment and social outing for staff and youth.
Handing over the trophy and medals to the winners Mhiko hailed the exemplary and professional conduct of Obama Boys leadership which he said won them the title on and off the pitch.
“We learnt a lot from their passion and professionalism and as we look forward to welcoming new teams in the 2015 season, we congratulate them and hope other teams can emulate them,” said Mhiko, who is also founding chairperson of Red Flames. Red Flames late charge was saw them finish eighth in the 18- team league.
Obama Boys F.C. is led by Sizani Weza and managed by a coterie of Embassy staff based at the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section. It was started in 2011 when the staffers supported a group of boys based in Alexandra Park who played regular football at a road intersection.
It joined the hPSL on its formation in 2013 with staff supporting the youth participation through game time, venue, uniforms and transport to their matches.
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“We never stopped building from the time we met the boys in 2011 and if you watch them play today you see no reason to watch soccer on television or anyway else, the boys are professional and enjoy the competition,” said Weza, Obama Boys President.
Ambassador Wharton, who is also patron of the club, pledged his continued support to the new champions who had the U.S. flagship program, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), branded in their uniforms.
“American people have come together to contribute almost $100 million to public health in Zimbabwe,” the U.S. diplomat told the youth. “Zimbabwe has the answers to the HIV epidemic, Americans wants to be partners and we thank you for sharing this message with your fellow community of footballers.” That they won the league exemplified gthe “yes we can” spirit of President Obama, said Wharton.
In addition to Embassy staff, Obama Boys received support from the Harare International School and Jewel Magazine ensuring that they had an exclusive venue for their matches and honoured exceptional talent each month.
Dr. Kathryn Carter-Golden, director of the Harare International School, said Obama Boys’ victory exemplified the “the power of “we”. “’We’ is a very small word, but you exemplified what we can do today when we act as one together—all of those things you can take on and influence – it’s the power of “we” and you got that,” said Carter-Golden who witnessed Obama Boys victories on several occasion in her school fields.
In its inaugural year, Zim Lawyers won the title and appeared to be on the way to retain this year until week 28 when they hit a rough patch against army side- Red Flames- and clothing industry vendors- Truworths- losing 1-2 and 2-3 respectively.
Obama Boys never lost a match in the second round of their fixtures and managed to avoid defeat against the big teams against Zim Lawyers and New Life and trouncing contenders Fresh Pro 4-2.
The Obama Boys, whose name is inspired by Barack Obama, the first African American President in the history of the United States, were not shy in front of goals. Their strikers led by hPSL golden boot winner Douglish Nyangawo and former Highlanders and Dynamos striker Admire Dzukamanja hit 146 goals in the season.
“Another season beckons for the Obama Boys and we will still be guided by the same values that saw us set a target and achieve it,” said Weza.
