FORMER international Edward Sadomba has hailed efforts by Jadel Football Academy in sponsoring an invitational tournament which seeks to keep youths out of the streets and help them make a career out of football.
The 16-years and under tournament is set for Prince Edward School Grounds today and will involve 10 local academies and clubs.
It is sponsored by China-based former Zimbabwe youth international Walter Musanhu who is the founder of the academy.
Sadomba was guest of honour at the launch of the tournament which was held at Holiday Inn on Tuesday evening.
“I just want to thank the founder of Jadel Football Academy Walter Musanhu and the coaches present because you are not changing lives but you are saving lives. Some kids are into drugs and some are into prostitution but when they spend their time at football academies they will be protected,” the 39-year-old former Dynamos winger said.
“We are here today because we have a purpose and our purpose today is to give the youths a better future so that they can make football a career and not to allow drugs to wreck the dreams of our youth.
“I am a product of an academy coming from the junior ranks. And coming from an academy also growing up in Mbare but as we speak I am ranked fourth all-time scorer in Caf club competitions. I just want to encourage everyone that nothing is impossible if we give 100% to whatever we are doing,” he said.
Jadel hosted its first competition in 2019 and this year’s edition will be held under the theme “Giving the youth a better future and making football a career, don’t allow drugs to rob your future.”
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Sadomba is the fourth all-time highest scorer in the CAF inter-club tournaments following his exploits with Sudanese club Al Hilal and Al-Ahly Tripoli from Libya, among other top African sides.
Musanhu also donated practice kit for the Mighty Warriors for future assignments at the launch
Of interest is the fact that the organisers have made it an all-female referee tournament.
The ten academies to take part in the event are Ali Sundowns, Zim Young FC, Dreamers Academy, Golden Eagles, Galaxy Academy, Hwange Classics, Mbare Academy, Power 11, CUMA and hosts Jadel.
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