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Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
LOW turnout has marred Zifa coaching courses which are being run by the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association (ZSCA) at Kwekwe High School. So low is the turnout that Levels Two and Three courses have been deferred to the first week of June.The Level One course which has 25 participants began on Monday and ends on Sunday when those who took part will be awarded their certificates.

Former Zifa board member competitions, Benedict Moyo and Sam Mavhenyengwa are taking the participants through their paces.

Moyo expressed disappointment at the low turnout and warned that coaches who are still practising without the requisite papers risk losing their jobs as the Zifa directive banning coaches who do not have papers will now cascade down to primary schools.

Zifa has imposed minimum requirements for coaches to sit on the bench in the topflight, Division One and Two leagues.

“We are very disappointed with the turnout. I am actually surprised with such a turnout because it is the prospective coaches and coaches themselves who actually call for these coaching clinics but when we hold them very few people turn up. We have now been forced to postpone Level 2 and 3 classes to  June 2 because of the low turnout.

“I am encouraging coaches in lower structures such as junior leagues, youth academies and even primary and secondary school teachers to come to such courses and get the relevant papers because very soon they will not be allowed to sit on the bench. It is high time we nurture our talent properly with people who have an understanding of basic football concepts,” he said.

Moyo said he together with veteran coach Gibson Homela will soon be going across the country to develop junior coaches. He added that the ZSCA had dedicated this year to develop junior coaches and have come up with programmes for youth development.