ZIFA have begun the search for the next generation of Warriors talent with the staging of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Schools Championships final trials at Bulawayo's Petra College tomorrow and Saturday.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship - a first in world football has firmly established itself as the leading youth football competition on the continent, thanks to the visionary leadership of CAF president, Patrice Motsepe.
Business mogul Motsepe continues to champion and manifest his vision of making African football globally competitive and self-sustaining.
This highly-anticipated Under-15 event will see 16 teams competing, with the different school associations such as NASH and ATS, providing two teams per gender, a national select team, and the winners of the 2024 national championships.
As in previous editions, the Caf Africans Schools Football Championship will be conducted in three phases namely; National Phase (hosted by Member Associations), Zonal Phase (hosted by CAF's Zonal Unions), which in Zimbabwe's case will be the COSAFA edition.
The last stage is the continental phase which is hosted by CAF in partnership with a selected Zonal Union and Member Association.
ZIFA competitions manager Simbarashe Gochera said the association was determined to develop the game using such vehicles as the CAF Schools program.
"ZIFA is committed to the development of football across Zimbabwe, and the CAF African Schools Championship is a vital part of this mission.
"We look forward to an exciting and competitive event in Bulawayo, celebrating the talents and potential of young Zimbabwean footballers," said Gochera.
The tournament caters for children born on or after January 1, 2010.
The championship provides a unique platform for young football talent across the nation to showcase their skills, fostering not only sporting excellence but also the spirit of unity and camaraderie among participants.
In conjunction with the championship, several developmental programmes will be held to enhance the skills and knowledge of young participants:
In the young referees' course, a total of 40 participants aged between 15 and 20 years will undergo the referees' class four licence course.
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This initiative aims to equip the next generation of referees with the necessary skills and knowledge to officiate at various levels of the game.
The young medical officers' course will be facilitated by the Red Cross.
This course will provide training for 20 students and 20 teachers, focusing on essential medical skills that are critical during sports events.
There will also be safeguarding training in which all technical and team officials involved in the championship will receive training in safeguarding, ensuring that the highest standards of safety and welfare are maintained throughout the event.
Additionally, the championship will serve as a selection platform for the national Under-15 teams for boys and girls.
The selected teams will go on to represent Zimbabwe in the Cosafa Zonal Phase, scheduled for Namibia from September 5 to 8.
