Herentals FC president and striker Innocent Benza says the future of Zimbabwean sport lies in proper grassroots development.
The football made 53-year-old, who has been active in grassroots development through his football initiative which has seen him establish multiple teams in the men and women’s top flight leagues as well as in the lower league, made the remarks on the sidelines of the successful Herentals Group of Schools and Colleges inter-schools sports gala held at Harare's Churchill School last week.
Benza, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mutasa Central (Zanu PF), sits on the parliamentary portfolio committee on sports and recreation.
"Our desire is to give each and every one a chance to showcase his or her talent. We do understand and reckon that it is not everyone who is academically talented, hence we try to have our children to pursue their talents within sport. "Sport has become an industry itself hence the reason we have been holding these games annually and we are happy to have children who have gone to pay professionally after being identified through these games," said Benza
Mabvuku retained the Benza Brothers Trophy in the Under-20 soccer tournament of the Herentals Group of Colleges Annual Sports Gala after beating neighbours Ruwa 2-1 in the final.
The inaugural sports gala was held in 2009 with eight centres taking part in the games. Mabvuku centre won the inaugural edition of the games.
After Mabvuku, the 2010 edition was won by Chitungwiza, Budiriro won in 2011 while Kwekwe and Gweru Mkoba bagged the 2012 and 2013 games editions respectively.
Harare CBD were crowned champions in 2014 and 2018 Bulawayo Lobengula (2015), Mabvuku (2016, 2019 and 2024), Kwekwe (2017), Bindura (2022).
Herentals Group of Colleges regional manager Zebediah Muronzi said the centres have since multiplied.
"The number of centres participating has risen from eight to 36 with Herentals Gwanda being the new kid on the block," Muronzi said.
"Most of the soccer players, who played at the tournament are part of the Herentals Academy. "The players that excel in this tournament are absorbed by the four Division 2 teams that are run by the Herentals Group of Colleges and schools."
The sports gala kicked off with the primary schools game cascading into the secondary event, which was split into eight groups. At least five sporting disciplines namely; soccer (both boys and girls), netball, rugby, volleyball, basketball and tennis were on offer at the recently completed games that took place at Prince Edward and Churchill High.
The Principals' Trophy for the best overall soccer went to Zengeza. The Finance Director's Trophy was won by Kuwadzana for their outstanding performance in volleyball, netball, tennis, rugby and basketball.
"Next year we will be introducing other sporting codes namely cricket, hockey and handball," added Muronzi.
"Most of the players, who now play or once played for the Herentals FC team in the local PSL are products of this tournament such as Ronald Chishaya, Wilmore Chimbetu and Frank Kuchinei among others."
Southlea Park won the U15 Tennis Boys category with Machipisa coming in second.
Hatfield's Vigol Tshisumpa came first in the Under-17 Girls Tennis games, Sibongile Mapuranga of Zengeza finished in second while Mabvuku's Leilah Tawakali took bronze.
The Under-20 Girls' tennis division was won by Mabvuku's Tawakali, Mapuranga of Zengeza took silver while Faith Mutamba of Budiriro came third.
The Under- 17 Boys trophy went to Hatfield's Kelton Mupota while Brendon Chikowore of Kadoma CBD and Southlea Park's Mukandatsama took silver and bronze medals respectively.
Kwekwe claimed gold in the Boys U20 courtesy of Tafara Mberikunashe, Harare CBD's Pullen Chiuniya finished in second place while Southlea Park's Adonai Mhere settled for third place.