Kudos to Jadel international tourney
FOOTBALL stakeholders led by the Premier Soccer League have hailed organisers of the Jadel Academy international 8-Aside Under-12 tournament that was held at Belgravia Sports Club on Saturday.
The massively attended fiesta saw 10 clubs including Jadel Academy China which had players from China, Australia, and England battling it out for honours.
The hosts begged gold after beating the Golden Eagles 2-0 in the final courtesy of goals by Malcolm Dinyero and Junior Chigube.
But it was the organised nature of the event and pure talent on display that left those in attendance including PSL chairman Farai Jere in awe.
“I think we need more tournaments like this. We need to structure our grassroots well and we will be sure to reap the results as a country,” said Jere.
“This is a great initiative by Jadel Football Academy.
“It was well organised and we saw talent on display. If all of us can endeavour to do as much as Jadel Academy is doing, then our football will transform for the better.
“We need more of these tournaments as they will help our children grow in confidence and they will easily fit in any team when the time comes”.
At least 25 players from the over 150, who participated at the jamboree were selected and will be kept together as Jadel Academy wants to play their part in the country’s vision not only to qualify but to do well at the 2034 World Cup.
Academy founder and director Walter Musanhu, who is based in Beijing, China said the group will be given all the necessary support until they all graduate into the senior national team.
“Some of these guys have earned scholarships but we will see to it that they are kept together as we launch the Vision 2034 where we are saying we need to qualify and make a huge impact at the World Cup,” said Musanhu.
“So that means next year we will hold another tournament but it will be an Under13 contest as we start preparing these guys.
“The year that follows will be an Under14 and so on . . .
“I am very grateful to all the football stakeholders who are in full support of this vision. I would also like to salute our sponsors chief amongst them parents as well as Hernperk Chemicals and Mawindo Foundation. We will not disappoint”.
Sports Leaders Institute of Zimbabwe president Russel Maradza Mhiribidi said success comes if the right initiatives are put into practice.
“These are the kinds of initiatives that can drive us to success. If we can have more forward-looking minds like what we have in Jadel Academy, we can go far with our sport,” said Mhiribidi.
“This is something that needs full stakeholder support.
“There is a lot of substance in this project and we pray that all goes well for the good of the sport”.
Several legends of the game like Salim Milanzi, Norman Maroto, Munyaradzi Diya, Desmond Maringwa, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Lovemore Makwavarara, Tichaona Diya, and Philip Sithole also applauded how everything unfolded on Saturday.
Maringwa, who is also the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe president said it was high time Zimbabwe looked to start development from the grassroots.
“I think this is exceptional. You look at how these youngsters carry themselves on the pitch and wonder where they will be when they must be starting to play in the professional set-ups.
“So we need to track them and Jadel’s vision of keeping them together will ensure the much-needed continuity,” said Maringwa.
“This is how the greatest players emerge from this country we nurtured”.
Mushangazhike added: “We all came from vibrant junior policies like this. We need to give our full support to these efforts.
“I think we also need to have more academies doing this and that way will provide a wider pool for the selection of our national teams”. One of the sponsors, Hernperk Chemicals managing director Yvonne Kamesa pledged to continue supporting initiatives like this as her company was passionate about both football and academics.