News / Local
Zimbabwe to participate in CAF African Schools Football Championship
26 Oct 2023 at 06:23hrs | Views
Zimbabwe is set to mark its debut in the CAF African Schools Football Championship next year, a significant achievement after missing the inaugural edition of the competition due to the country's suspension from international football by FIFA.
This championship, initiated just last year, is specially crafted for school-going boys and girls aged between 12 and 15 years. In the first edition held in April in Durban, South Africa, CS Ben Sekou Sylla from Guinea and Fountain Gate School of Tanzania emerged as champions in the boys' and girls' categories, respectively. Each victorious team received a substantial prize of $300,000, thanks to a generous donation of $10 million from the Motsepe Foundation during the competition's first year.
Zimbabwe has now received an invitation from CAF to participate in the second edition of the championship. In preparation for this exciting opportunity, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) recently launched the national phase of the African Schools Football Championship.
The qualification process unfolds in three stages: national, zonal, and continental. ZIFA has forged partnerships with key organizations, including the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH), the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH), the Association of Trust Schools (ATS), and the Zimbabwe Independent Colleges Association (ZICA) to ensure the successful execution of this event.
The national phase will be hosted at Allan Wilson High School in Harare over two days, featuring sixteen select teams, comprising eight boys' teams and eight girls' teams. Scouts and coaches will have the crucial responsibility of selecting the U15 boys and girls national teams that will represent Zimbabwe in the upcoming zonal phase, scheduled for December 2023 at a venue yet to be disclosed.
The African Schools Football Championship carries a dual purpose. Firstly, it aims to foster the development of young football talent and empower aspiring players. Secondly, it seeks to support schoolchildren who aspire to careers in areas such as refereeing or journalism through tailored mentorship programs. Additionally, the program provides an opportunity for school teachers to undergo training for the CAF D coaching license, while medical personnel and safeguarding officers will also receive specialized training to enhance the overall experience for all participants.
This championship, initiated just last year, is specially crafted for school-going boys and girls aged between 12 and 15 years. In the first edition held in April in Durban, South Africa, CS Ben Sekou Sylla from Guinea and Fountain Gate School of Tanzania emerged as champions in the boys' and girls' categories, respectively. Each victorious team received a substantial prize of $300,000, thanks to a generous donation of $10 million from the Motsepe Foundation during the competition's first year.
Zimbabwe has now received an invitation from CAF to participate in the second edition of the championship. In preparation for this exciting opportunity, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) recently launched the national phase of the African Schools Football Championship.
The national phase will be hosted at Allan Wilson High School in Harare over two days, featuring sixteen select teams, comprising eight boys' teams and eight girls' teams. Scouts and coaches will have the crucial responsibility of selecting the U15 boys and girls national teams that will represent Zimbabwe in the upcoming zonal phase, scheduled for December 2023 at a venue yet to be disclosed.
The African Schools Football Championship carries a dual purpose. Firstly, it aims to foster the development of young football talent and empower aspiring players. Secondly, it seeks to support schoolchildren who aspire to careers in areas such as refereeing or journalism through tailored mentorship programs. Additionally, the program provides an opportunity for school teachers to undergo training for the CAF D coaching license, while medical personnel and safeguarding officers will also receive specialized training to enhance the overall experience for all participants.
Source - NewZimbabwe
