Story by Mthokozisi Dube
THE ninth edition of the Orap Zenzele Isuzu Champions Cup will take place in Bulawayo from June 25 to 27, bringing together some of Zimbabwe’s most promising young footballers from rural communities.
The tournament will feature 16 Under-20 teams, comprising eight boys’ and eight girls’ teams drawn from four provinces, providing a platform for emerging talent to showcase their abilities.
Townsend High School headmistress, Mrs Thokozile Tshabalala said the competition plays an important role in empowering young girls through sport.
“We are excited to be part of this tournament as it is going a long way in emancipating the girl child,” she said.
Organisers say the competition remains firmly focused on youth development and expanding opportunities for young people in rural communities.
“We work closely with rural communities across different districts, making sure that our programmes are inclusive and accessible even in hard-to-reach areas. One of our core pillars is youth development because we believe young people are the future of these communities,” Orap representative, Stewart Mantula, said.
Tournament Director Mthokozisi Moyo highlighted the growth of the competition since its inception in 2014.
“This is our ninth edition of the tournament, which we proudly launched back in 2014. Since then, it has continued to grow in strength, structure and participation each year, becoming one of the key youth sporting platforms in the region. For this year’s edition, we have brought together eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams representing four provinces. This wide participation reflects the increasing interest in youth sport development and the importance of creating equal opportunities for both boys and girls to showcase their talent, compete at a higher level and gain exposure beyond their local communities,” he said.
Co-sponsors Auto World reaffirmed their commitment to supporting youth development through sport.
“Every year, we want to take the tournament a notch higher. We are grateful to ZIFA and all stakeholders who have helped us grow the tournament,” said Auto World representative Mike Blatch.
Reigning champions Somvubu High School will be among the participating teams as they seek to successfully defend their title.
The tournament has grown into one of the country’s premier grassroots football competitions, providing a vital pathway for talented young players from rural Zimbabwe to gain exposure and pursue opportunities in the sport.
