BULAWAYO, Aug. 18 (NewsDay Live) — The Dumisani Foundation marked its 11th year of supporting young people through sport, education and the arts when young footballers gathered at Chiefs Village in Bulawayo for the 2026 Dumisani Foundation Finals.
The Aug. 15 tournament brought together schools and football academies for a day of competition and community engagement, with Schools Select taking on Pelandaba Academy in the headline match for the Dumisani Foundation trophy.
Teams and players from Entumbane, Gifford, Milton, Mtshabezi, St Columbus and Mzilikazi participated in the competition, giving the event a strong community focus.
For founder Dumisani Ndlovu, a former footballer, the tournament is part of a broader effort to create opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I am a former footballer and I am very passionate about football. But as long as it is some form of sport, it does not necessarily have to be football. Any form of sport is my passion. For me, this is about giving back to the community,” Ndlovu said.
The United Kingdom-based foundation provides sporting kits and equipment to help children participate in sport. It also works with teachers, school heads and community members in Zimbabwe to identify young people who need support.
Ndlovu said reaching the 11th edition was an important milestone for the organisation.
“We are very happy to reach the 11th year. It shows that the tournament has grown and continues to make a difference in the lives of these young people. Our focus remains on using sport, education and art to inspire the next generation,” he said.
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Beyond sport, the foundation provides financial assistance towards school fees and other education-related expenses for identified children and facilitates cultural exchange programmes.
Its work is centred on three pillars — education, sport and art — which are represented on the Dumisani Foundation trophy.
The annual finals provide young players with an opportunity to showcase their talent, build confidence and potentially attract the attention of coaches and development scouts.
The event also brings together children from different schools and communities, creating opportunities for interaction and cultural exchange.
Ndlovu said the foundation’s long-term objective was not simply to produce football winners, but to help young people develop their talents and pursue opportunities in education, sport and the arts.
After 11 years, the annual tournament has become a key part of the foundation’s efforts to ensure that children from disadvantaged communities are not excluded from opportunities because of their circumstances.
The 2026 finals at Chiefs Village again brought together sport, creativity and community, reinforcing the foundation’s mission of giving back and investing in the next generation.
