Benjani youth league launched

FORMER Warriors, Manchester City and Portsmouth forward, Benjani Mwaruwari last Friday launched a youth league during a well-attended glitzy ceremony.

The event also marked the launch of Magwegwe City Football Club, a junior team based in his childhood suburb of Old Magwegwe and the first team that will compete in the youth league.

Mwaruwari's vision is to revive the Bulawayo City Council-owned youth clubs and have each one in the city establish a team that will compete in the BYL.

Speaking at the launch, Mwaruwari said he was excited at the potential and the limitless possibilities that the league will offer to young players.

He also said his long-term vision was the establishment of such leagues across the country.

"I grew up playing football at youth centres. I was a player at Magwegwe Youth Centre and we would travel across the city to play teams from other youth centres. This was not unique to me as all the legends and retired footballers here present will testify," Mwaruwari said at the launch.

"I would like to see this project go national and we establish such leagues all across Zimbabwe."

The Mayor of Bulawayo, Solomon Mguni also welcomed the initiative and said the council was prepared and willing to partner with the league.

During the launch, Mwaruwari also unveiled his partners and sponsors who include Nyaradzo and Australian based- Adachi which is owned by Adrian Mtungwazi whose late uncle, Ambrose is a Zimbabwe Saints legend.

Present at the launch were football personalities such as former AmaZulu skipper, Sikhumbuzo Ndebele, Gibson Homela, Douglas Mloyi, Harlington Shereni among many others who graced the event.

The BYL will be managed by Mwaruwari's sports consultancy, BM Sports which falls under his Benjani Mwaruwari Foundation.