Story by Tamuka Charakupa
Stakeholders have called for increased investment in football infrastructure as part efforts to improve the beautiful game.
The need to invest in modern sporting facilities and improving the welfare of players came under the spotlight at an end of year award ceremony hosted by Banket United Football Club this Sunday.
Banket United finished 12th in the Northern Region Division One league, amid concerns over poor remuneration.
“The beauty of these community-led clubs in that they inspire a sense of ownership. We need the community to invest in the grounds which we use, the allowances which we give our players so that we lure them to sports and in so doing we will be driving them away from the scourge of drug and substance abuse,” said Banket United coach, Robert Mukombwe.
Banket United captain, Fisher Mulalanji weighed in, “We finished 12th which was not a bad position given the challenges which we faced. We have just four senior players and the rest are just passionate local youths who join and leave. This reflects the need to secure sponsorship so that players do not join rival or clubs offering better remuneration.”
Banket United board member Nqobile Magwizi cast the spotlight on grassroots football development.
“We are faced with the scourge of drug and substance abuse especially among the youths. We have realised beyond any doubt that sport is a viable vehicle to drive the youths out of this menace and that has been the motivation towards ensuring that Banket United survives. Going forward, as football stakeholders, we need to ensure that sporting facilities which they use are up to standard, the welfare of players is taken good care of and that we seek partnership that identify and nurture talents,” he said.
Mashonaland West province has two clubs in the Premier Soccer League, ZPC Kariba and Ngezi Platinum.
Chegutu Pirates were relegated at the end of their debut season in the topflight.
