U17 Champions League tourney launched to support grassroots football
Story by Raynald Ngwarati
The country’s grassroots football has received a massive boost after a new tournament, the Gloria Under 17 Champions League, was launched at Greendale Sports Club.
As the country eyes rebuilding its junior football structures, the efforts have received a shot in the arm after some corporates jumped on board to play their part in the development of the country’s future football starlets.
National Foods in conjunction with other partners unveiled a crucial partnership at the weekend, tailored to developing grassroots football through the launch of the Gloria Under 17 Champions League.
With the league set to roar into life early next month, the landmark development caught the attention of the Zimbabwe Football Association who were represented by the technical director, Jethro Hunidzarira and national men’s senior team coach, Michael Nees, who were all excited at the prospect of nurturing talent from the grassroots.
The stakeholders involved promised exciting times for the country’s football.
“So we thought that it was important for us to make sure that we take them all from the streets, and you give them a platform where they can develop their talent and spend more time playing football than going around or associating with guys that obviously are doing drugs,” said Gloria U17 Champions League chairman, Gift Mabvudza.
“An element of trust. He’s coming back to our football again, which is good news for us. We hope our corporates are watching and looking in and we asking them to consider. Coming in and helping us,” said ZIFA Technical director, Jethro Hunidzarira.
The Under 17 Champions League will feature a total of nine teams, with eight drawn from the capital and one from Murehwa.
The League will run from the 1st of March to the 18th of October, with each team playing two-sixty minute matches per match day.
