MEMBER of Parliament for Mabvuku-Tafara Scott Sakupwanya has revealed big plans for football, particularly in his area where a prestigious junior tournament is on the cards.
According to him, plans are afoot to develop football facilities in the area so that they can host a tournament that will feature junior teams from Europe.
Sakupwanya has been increasing his footprint in sport where he partly bankrolls Castle Lager Premier Soccer League giants Highlanders as well as Yadah FC.
Last week, he announced that he will start involving himself in rugby after watching the Nedbank Challenge Cup at Harare Sports Club.
It is, however, the top junior football tournament in his constituency that is set to light up the local football scene and has already started to excite those involved.
It will be double joy for the people of Mabvuku and football enthusiasts as they will not only witness the best local junior and international talent but Mabvuku Ground 1 housed inside Mabvuku Sports Centre will undergo a major facelift.
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Sakupwanya said he wants the matches to be played under floodlights so that the budding footballers have a taste of what the future holds.
"We are looking at hosting a junior football tournament in Mabvuku under floodlights and we are currently in negotiations with some top European clubs that we want to invite their juniors for that tournament," Sakupwanya said.
With most football stadiums in the country in derelict state and some becoming white elephants, the installation of floodlights is a welcome development for the Mabvuku community stadium, which has in the past been a cradle for stars like the late CAPS United legend, Joe Mugabe, Tineyi Meda, among others.
"If we are going to install floodlights at the stadium, it also means that we will take care of the playing turf and the general outlook of the stadium," Sakupwanya indicated.
His Highlanders sponsorship deal also covers the junior and women's teams.
His company, Better Brands also sponsors Yadah Stars Football Club, whose funding helped the prophet Walter Magaya-owned club to secure former Zimbabwe Warriors star, Khama Billiat.
In 2023, Sakupwanya brought in former United States boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr to Zimbabwe and helped to promote the sport in the country, where he exhibited his training routine in Mabvuku.