M’parutsa engages Ambassador Katsande
LEGENDARY goalkeeper, Japhet “Short Cat” M’parutsa, has engaged Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christian Katsande, to share his vision about football development back home.
The UK- based former Warriors and Dynamos star — who has a passion for junior development — is seeking to plough back to the structures which developed his illustrious career.
He wants to use his Japhet “Short Cat” M’parutsa Foundation to achieve that goal.
“I had a fruitful meeting with Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the UK, Colonel Katsande.
‘’I shared with him the vision of the Japhet ‘Short Cat’ M’parutsa Foundation.
“His encouraging words made me even more determined to continue working and ensure that our impact is felt on the ground in Zimbabwe.
“There are many opportunities to empower the youth and if we work closely with the Embassy, more sports equipment will reach the young.
“We also went down memory lane and it is always heart-warming to hear the exploits from those who followed my football journey.
“This was a fruitful courtesy call and I look forward to more interactions in future. It is indeed good to work together and build,” said M’parutsa.
The Foundation seeks to avail opportunities to aspiring young sportspeople in Zimbabwe, most of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
They have been involved in mobilising equipment, and resources, and they are also looking to assist, with the rehabilitation, of run down sporting infrastructure.
They have also hosted football tournaments, for junior players, in Zimbabwe.
“Every child must have a sporting chance. As a Foundation, we will not only rehabilitate the community facilities, but we will ensure that the young athletes have sporting equipment to use in order for them to achieve their goals.
‘’ Provision of sporting equipment therefore remains one of our priorities,” said the Foundation, on their website.
As their mission statement declares, the Foundation also “strives to empower communities and schools in the development of all sport disciplines.
‘’In our country, a lot of sports infrastructure have been abandoned, neglected and are now an eyesore.
“The Foundation will work hard to restore these to their former glory for the nurturing young athletes.
‘’ The environment creates the athletes and the Foundation will pursue this with
passion and excellency.”
M’parutsa etched his name in Zimbabwe football folklore when he became the first goalkeeper, to win the prestigious Soccer Star of the Year award, in 1982.
He had a successful career with Dynamos, Black Rhinos and the Warriors, in the early days of Independence.
M’parutsa believes local football standards have fallen and is keen to see the national sport being revived back to its glory days.