PREPARATIONS for the third edition of the Willard Katsande Under-18 Football Tournament slated for this month end in Mutare are at an advanced stage, the organisers have said.
KENNETH NYANGANI SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The tournament, sponsored by Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs hard man Katsande, will be held on the weekend of December 27-28 with a total number of 20 teams expected to compete across various venues in the eastern border city.
The tournament, which seems to be growing in stature every year in terms of the sponsorship package and the number of participating teams, will be held under the theme No Youth No Future.
Sixteen teams took part this year, but 19 have already confirmed their participation at this year’s event.
Two teams of the 20 competing have been drawn from Harare as the tournament is beginning to get a national outlook.
One of the organisers Hebron Makukutu has promised a much bigger and better tournament from the previous tournaments.
“We are promising fireworks at this year’s event and 19 teams have already confirmed to take part. And we are happy that Willard Katsande has once again committed himself to sponsor this tournament,” said Makukutu, who is the captain of Eastern Region Division One Football side Mutare City Rover.
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Makukutu is one of Katsande’s close friends.
“And preparations are at an advanced stage and we have managed to book all venues we are going to use. I cannot give the total package off hand but I can confirm that the package has increased and there will be lots of prizes to be won during the tournament,” he added.
Last year’s winners Chipinge Academy got $500, two sets of kits, t-shirts and a floating trophy.
This year, the winning prize has been increased to $800 and a trophy, playing kits for the finalists while the last eight teams would get branded t-shirts. Runners-up will went home $400 richer.
La Sakubva, a team owned and coached by Timothy Masachi won the first edition of the tournament in 2012. Masachi is the assistant coach of Premiership side Buffaloes.
He was eventually named the coach of the tournament while national Under-23 and Buffaloes defender and Liberty Chakoroma was named defender of the tournament. Exciting Buffaloes midfielder Phillip Thembani was named the player of the tournament.
