OnSport Reporter
A BLOCKBUSTER football tournament is scheduled to set Nkayi ablaze this festive season with more than 20 teams taking part in the three day soccer fiesta.
Clubs from across Bulawayo and Matabeleland North will converge at Nkayi High School for the Nkayi Soccer Academy Youth Tournament which runs from 19 to 21 December next week.
Nkayi Soccer Academy director, Never Sibindi said they are thrilled to be hosting the second edition of the tournament and expect to host more than 400 players.
He said they are intending to give emerging talent from rural areas a chance to shine on a unique stage while big teams will have the opportunity to identify promosing players.
“We are thrilled to be hosting this tournament which is in its second year and has grown. We are hosting 22 teams this year with each team having a contingent of 20 players each and five officials per team,” said Sibindi.
The competition will feature boys competition in the Under-17 and Under-15 age groups while for the girls it will be an open age category.
Teams taking part in the Under- 17 include Highlanders, Nkayi Soccer Academy, Ceballos, Lupane City FC, Inyathi Stars, Ama 53 Select, Gwayi Valley Cranes, Matshalayile.
Somvubu Academy, Corinthians SOE, Super Eagles, Nkayi, Highlanders, Lupane City, Gwayi Valley Cranes and ama 53 Select will compete in the Under – 15 age group.
Nkayi, Sibanye, Amazwangendaba Royal Queens, Lupane City FC, Somvubu Academy, Corinthians SOE will battle it out in the girls category, boys 17 and Under, boys 15 and Under and girls-Open.
Sibindi said they expect the tournament to be graced by traditional leaders from across Nkayi, such as Chief Nkalakata, Chief Dakamela, and Chief Tshugulu, among others.
“We have also involved local government bodies, including the Ministry of Youth, Arts, Sports and Culture as well as representatives from Health, Education, Youth Development, and the National AIDS Council (NAC).
“The primary goal of this initiative is to inspire our youth to lead healthy, drug-free lives by collaborating with partners who share this vision. Additionally, we aim to promote rural tourism, thereby supporting and boosting the local economy of Nkayi,” he said.
Sibindi revealed several companies have partnered them and these include Bakers Inn, Pro Dairy, Revive, NAC and ZB bank, CIMAS , TX Money Transfer.