GRASSROOTS football in Zimbabwe has received a major boost after local bank BancABC committed $200,000 to a nationwide youth development programme run by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), marking one of the most ambitious junior football investments in recent years.
The initiative, branded the BancABC Grassroots Impact Junior League, targets Under-14 and Under-16 age groups for both boys and girls, and will be rolled out across all 10 provinces. The decision to work with U14s and U16s — rather than the internationally recognised U15 and U17 categories — is aimed at building a stronger feeder system into those elite age brackets.
Under the programme structure, each province will field four teams — two U14 girls’ teams and two U16 boys’ teams — creating a 40-team national league. Each team will play 18 matches annually, resulting in a total of 720 games per season, giving young players consistent, competitive football throughout the year.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi described the sponsorship as a strong endorsement of the association’s new leadership and development-first approach.
“Your decision to invest in grassroots football is not just corporate support. It is leadership. It is belief. It is a vote of confidence in the new direction for Zimbabwean football that is being put in place,” Magwizi said.
He said the programme reflects a clear break from short-term and fragmented development efforts.
“When this executive took office, we made a clear pledge. We said that we would rebuild Zimbabwean football from the base of the pyramid going up. We noted the shortcuts would no longer define our thinking. We said that development would no longer be fragmented, seasonal or informal. The Grassroots Impact Programme is the clearest expression of our pledge.
“This initiative represents a year-round national development platform, not a once-off tournament. It introduces nationally standardised, proper governance, safeguarding systems and clear progression routes for our young players in Zimbabwe.”
BancABC chief executive Tawanda Munaiwa said the bank views the partnership as a long-term investment in communities and national pride, rather than a conventional sponsorship.
“For BancABC, this partnership with ZIFA represents a strong alignment of values. As a financial institution, we understand that growth is not measured only in balance sheets and profitability, but also in the strength, resilience, and prosperity of the communities we serve,” he said.
He added that grassroots football is the foundation of future national success.
“Grassroots football is where dreams are first sparked, where raw talent is discovered, and where future national icons begin their journey. Our collaboration with ZIFA through this grassroots football sponsorship is a deliberate and strategic investment in the future of our nation. We want to see the Warriors and the Mighty Warriors lift the AFCON trophy and consistently qualify for the World Cup. That journey does not start on the international stage, it starts here, with a strong, well-supported grassroots football. And for that reason, BancABC is committed to continuing this sponsorship for the long term-in fact, until we lift AFCON silverware or qualify for the World Cup.”
The launch was attended by a cross-section of football and sports administration leadership, including Deputy Sports Minister Emily Jesaya, represented by the ministry’s chief director, ZIFA vice presidents Kennedy Ndebele and Loveness Wadzanai Mukura, Sports and Recreation Commission officials, Zimbabwe Women Premier Soccer League chairperson Chido Chizondo, ZIFA provincial and regional chairpersons, as well as BancABC executives and staff.
