THE inaugural LM Auctioneers Zaka Girls Festival is aiming to leave a lasting impact long after the final whistle, with every participating player set to receive a commemorative souvenir T-shirt as organisers focus on creating memories beyond match results.
The Under-21 tournament will be held on October 24 at St Joseph High School in Jerera and will feature eight schools from across Zaka District. Hosts St Joseph High, Mutsambwa High, Magura High, Mutimwi High, Chimbwembwe High, Rudhanda High, Dzoro High and Maningi Youth Soccer Academy (MYSA) have all confirmed their participation, with St Joseph and Mutsambwa entering the competition as seeded teams.
Tournament sponsor and LM Auctioneers managing director Lewis Muzhara said the commemorative shirts were intended to ensure every participant leaves with something to remember from the historic first edition.
“We want to create a tournament to remember. That’s why every player will get a T-shirt they can wear and always cherish about this day,” Muzhara said.
“The souvenir T-shirts for every team and technical team are now ready for collection. We decided against providing playing kits for every team because they would have limited benefit. Instead, only the two finalists will receive full playing kits that they can use either in the final or in future competitions.”
Muzhara said the festival was designed to provide rural girls with opportunities both on and off the field.
“This is the first edition to bring together schools exclusively from Zaka District. We want to give our rural girls a platform to showcase their football talent while also discussing issues that affect their lives,” he said.
The festival will be staged under the theme “No to Drugs, Mental Health Has No Boundaries”, with awareness sessions on mental health, drug and substance abuse, and sexual and reproductive health running alongside the football programme.
Organisers are also positioning the tournament as a talent identification platform, with scouts from across the country’s football structures expected to attend.
“We will invite ZIFA, the Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League, the Eastern Region and national team coaches. We want scouts to identify talented players from Zaka and give them opportunities to progress in the game,” Muzhara said.
The champions will receive a trophy, 25 gold medals and full playing kits, while the runners-up will be awarded a trophy, 25 silver medals and playing kits.
Individual awards will recognise the Top Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Young Player, Player of the Tournament, Coach of the Tournament, the Fair Play Award and the Most Disciplined Team.
Officials from the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the ZIFA Development Committee and coaches from Zimbabwe’s senior, Under-20 and Under-17 women’s national teams are among the invited guests expected to attend the landmark tournament.
