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Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
THE draw for the Townshend and Butcher Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (Bafa) Trophy was conducted yesterday with first round games set for this weekend.

Representatives from the 16-team Bafa League will battle for the trophy, which is in its 58th edition.

Zifa Bulawayo chairman Washington Sithole encouraged the players to work hard saying the winners of the Bafa League would be promoted to the Zifa Division 3 League.

“We’re going to have the top team (in the league) being promoted to play in Divison 3 and we’re happy there are players from the association (Bafa) that have joined other teams, which is a sign of the association’s success,” said Sithole.

Bafa chairman Chris Mtungwazi dismissed the notion that their league and competitions were mere social games saying they were highly competitive.

“These competitions have developed to be competitive with players getting a chance to market themselves. This year we’re going to have tight competitions as no team will be a pushover, but will battle for an opportunity to play in higher level games,” said Mtungwazi.

Townshend and Butcher proprietor Peter Leondios said the Bafa League players had improved immensely and the level of competition had increased.

“We want to promote local talent and develop our own professional players. We also want to create disciplined players and we’re doing our best to motivate the players,” said Leondios.

Oscar Mazhambe, Bafa board member for development, said the aim of the competitions was to identify talent.

“We want to eliminate the mentality that these competitions are social and educate, and instil a more positive spirit in the league so that players can also advance and progress from the unknown zone to being known,” said Mazhambe.

First round fixtures

Securico v Eleven Stars, Unit Village v Bulawayo Tigers, BayiBayi v United FC, Madamara v Entumbane FC, Crusaders v Safe Guard, Hotspurs v Mpilo, Rebels FC v Seven Warriors, Anolle Castings v Nga Chronicle.