Zimpapers Logo

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE 19th edition of the Ingwebu Inter-Schools football tournament roars into life on June 19 with zonal finals set to be held in Bulawayo while regional finals, slotted for July 31, will be held in Matabeleland South.The regional finals will feature Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, and will be held on a rotational basis.

Matabeleland North will hold their provincials on July 17 while Matabeleland South will have theirs on July 3.

This year’s football extravaganza will see the full participation of girls.

Ingwebu Breweries confirmed in 2014 that they would fully sponsor girls’ football from this year as a way of empowering the girl child through the sport.

According to the National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) Bulawayo provincial chairperson Njabulo Bango, district finals will be held on June 26 with provincial representatives set to be known on July 10.

“We are meeting as heads this Friday (and) that is when I think we will have more details as regards to the finer details of this year’s package,” said Bango.

Last year, the tournament was bankrolled to the tune of $39,500 up from $36,000 in 2013.

Last year’s winners walked away with $2,500 and the losing finalists $500 less. The third best school walked away $1,500 richer while the fourth placed got $1,200.

All the finalists are given a full kit in addition to the financial rewards.

Bulawayo’s Robert Tredgold Primary School, who are coached by the legendary Tobias Mudyambanje, are the defending champions.

The tournament has over the years seen talent being unearthed and some players who went on to play in the Premier Soccer League having participated in the tournament include former Soccer Stars of the Year and How Mine striker Charles Sibanda and Walter Chuma as well as Chicken Inn hard man Guide Goddard.