Developing the standard of soccer through schools tournaments
Lazarus Sauti
Africa is a
football-crazy continent, with fanatical supporters and players. On any given
day in every corner of the continent (school grounds, streets and open spaces –
makeshift pitches), you will find young people showing off their skills.
For this reason, soccer
is like a religion in the African continent. Therefore, stakeholders should use
schools soccer tournaments to cultivate talent and offer school kids the
opportunity to indulge in their passion in a structured and organised manner.
The establishment of
various school leagues will not only promote health and wellness of talented
kids but can be used to promote awareness programmes that can help the kids in
the future.
Furthermore, premier
league teams should make time to watch these tournaments since they provide an
oasis of talent.
“I think there is a
need for premier soccer league teams to make time for junior soccer
tournaments. There is a lot of untapped talent and it is from such tournaments
that we begin to see future stars emerging,” says Johannes Ngodzo, former
Zimbabwe national team midfielder.
To improve the overall
standard of living in African communities, the prize money should go towards
enhancing academic and sport needs of talented players. The money should also
be utilised in improving sports facilities.
Improving the
facilities and raising the profile of schools tournaments will motivate
talented players to take part since it is every kid’s wish to be associated
with prestigious events and to be successful in life.
“Every young player
will always wish to take part in schools soccer tournaments. I am encouraging
youngsters, who are going to play in the tournament this year, to go out there
and enjoy themselves.
“They would not know
who will be watching them. But they must not put themselves under unnecessary
pressure,” asserts Kudakwashe Mahachi, a product of the tournament.
Stakeholders in the
sporting industry, especially coaches, should always seek to grace such
tournaments. It is a noble idea for coaches to attend all the soccer
tournaments in order to identify talent and effectively scout for sprouting
talent; they should attend all matches not finals only since there are some
exceptionally talented teams that unfortunately do not make it to the finals.
Football federations
and teams should also work hand in glove with sponsors to support school teams
in the quest to produce future national team players. Professional players from
well-established teams should grace these tournaments and use them as platforms
to motivate young players to take football seriously.
Private organisations
in countries within the African continent should show their dedication to youth
development and its meaningful impact in African society by supporting and
encouraging school soccer. They should use these tournaments to promote peace,
social cohesion and unite the continent across race, gender, language,
ethnicity and a number of challenges facing society.
Series of schools
soccer competitions can help the continent to develop the level and standard of
soccer. Accordingly, countries in the African continent must build on schools
soccer tournaments and strive to develop into one of the best soccer playing
continents in the world.
Comments
Post a Comment