-seek funds to register with ZIFA
MILLICENT HUNGWE
CHIVHU- Elite Green Soccer Academy has joined the fight against substance, drugs and child marriages through the most beautiful game of football in the farming town of Chivhu.
The academy was found in 2023 and so far they have managed to hold two successful tournaments with a Mvuma based academy as part of initiatives lined up in ensuring that the youths stay away from the vice that is threatening a whole generation.
The academy is yet to register its presence with the soccer governing body ZIFA due to financial constraints but is optimistic that they will soon affiliate with the soccer body for them to benefit from the association’s mentorship programs.
The Academy has 2 teams, Under 15 with 24 players and Under 17 with 19 players, they played with Mvuma Academy last year at home and away games.
George Muketiwa, founder of the Academy said it was established after identifying talented and budding future soccer stars’ skills being put to waste due to drug and substance abuse.
He however bemoaned lack of support from parents and guardians in the small town as a major stumbling block towards the academy to achieve its full potential.
“This Academy was formed to reduce cases of drug and substance abuse and child marriages in Chivhu community however, a lot of parents and the society at large are yet to understand that we are there to help the youth in also creating professional soccer players instead they think soccer is a barrier to their children’s education.
“The main challenge is the equipment, we don’t have enough soccer balls, cones, bibs and uniforms. We actually use bibs on match day since we do not have soccer jerseys and we hope to find more qualified coaches in the future to train our teams if we get sponsorship,” he said.
Plans are afoot to introduce women’s soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball, handball and athletics and the academy.
The ambitious Academy uses Chivhu Stadium as its home ground.
