IT’S all systems go for the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation Youth Invitational Under-17 Football Tournament to be held in Hwange today and tomorrow.
Ten teams from Matabeleland battle for honours in the coal-mining town where the Warriors skipper hails from and the competition’s objective is to discover and nurture young football talent in the country while taking the youths away from drug and substance abuse.
The English EFL League One Luton Town player’s father, Anthony, who is organising the tournament, yesterday said preparations for the competition are going on well.
The teams taking part in the tournament are Hwange, Njube Spurs, G.G Academy, Golden Lions FC (Victoria Falls), Ponel Youth Soccer Academy (Dete), Nkayi Soccer Academy, Biya Academy, Highlanders FC, Binga Academy and Dinde Academy.
“Preparations are progressing well so far. We have 10 teams participating in this year’s edition. The teams are scheduled to troop into camp tonight (Friday) at Fog Lodge in Dete, where they have been provided with accommodation and transport,” Anthony said.
“The purpose of the tournament, as I have always said, is to give budding footballers an opportunity to be scouted by top clubs, just as Marvelous was.
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“It is always my wish to see these youngsters one day playing for top European teams and transforming their lives and those of their families because football is a rewarding sport.”
He added: “On top of that, the tournament is meant to take children off the streets, especially at a time when drug abuse is a menace.
“I want to wish all the teams the best — everyone is a winner in this tournament. To the Hwange community, please welcome this tournament and come out in your numbers to support the future.”
Nakamba, who also played for Aston Villa in the English Premier League and is also bankrolling Njube Spurs, is passionate about the tournament, which produced defender Prosper Padera who plays for SJK Seinäjoki in the Finnish top league.
Padera, who played for Mutare’s Majesa Academy in the Nakamba tournament in Bulawayo, five years ago, was named in the Warriors’ provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations squad, but is not in the final set up.
Nakamba earlier said: “Charity begins at home. It all started there, my father played for Zesa Hwange now Megawatt and Hwange FC.
“As a kid, I had my first kick around in Dinde in Hwange, it’s a great thing to give back and hopefully inspire a kid or two.
“We would like to contribute to making Hwange great as a football and sporting town. I urge the government, corporates and other sponsors to partner with us not only to make this tournament a success, but to help with the bigger picture of developing football in the country.”
There will be shields and medals for winning teams and individual awards, while all teams will receive kits, two Puma match balls each and T-shirts.
Nakamba pays schools fees for thousands of school children across the country and has development projects in Hwange.