SOUTH AFRICA based academy Kitoko Academy and Mashonaland Central-based Youth Foundation Trust Foundation (YOFT) academy engaged in an exciting tourney at Dandamera stadium, a clear testimony of how the two junior-based fronts are leading the way in spotting and enriching young football talent in Zimbabwe and abroad.
YOFT has been in the young talent enrichment mix for a respectable time and the performance displayed at Dandamera is a sheer testament to how the society is benefiting at large.
NewsOnline got in touch with YOFT Director/Secretary for Marketing & Resource Mobilization Kingston Mwanza to get a deep understanding of their notable work.
He said talent support in Mashonaland Central (base province) has been a roller coaster ride but showed high levels of commitment in uplifting young talent from both sexes.
“It has been a journey characterized by obstacles and straight lanes but we are sailing through. One of our ideologies shuns any forms of segregation when it comes to talent identification and build-up. We believe every individual given the right commitment can be nurtured into a skilled professional in sports especially when they are developed from grassroots.”
YOFT has so far featured in Solubot Pvt Ltd Under 15 tourney (2024), Red Carpet Season Under 12 tourney (2024), Huruyadzo Under 13 tourney (2024), and they were part of a tour in Zambia where they clinched gold with their under 15 sides (2024).
Success on these tourneys, averaging gold and silver medals has propelled the academy to better heights.
“We express our sincere gratitude for the exchange program initiated by one of our directors, Kudakwashe Garufu (pictured in Green Caps United Jersey) who also is the founder of Keiz Sport Management. This program has a significant impact on our community by broadening perspectives on sports and demonstrating how, with dedication and the right approach, limitations can be overcome. Looking at the player’s point of view it inspired them to keep pushing harder as they had a chance to meet a role model professional athlete Willard Katsande. You could see from the play and talent they showcased on the match that such an arrangement has greater impact and inspiration to them, ” Mwanza added.
Katsande, whose team engaged with YOFT this past week has been up and running also.
His current scope of young talent has been touring across Zimbabwe, from Mutare, and Masvingo to Mashonaland Central and the former Warriors midfielder is delighted with the outlook.
“The journey has been overwhelming but it’s always very interesting to work with youngsters cause they have ears to learn. The whole idea is to expose the young talents to the world.”
He confirmed that four players are trying their luck here in Zimbabwe.
“After our interesting tour across Zimbabwe, we left four players in Zimbabwe who are trying trying their luck.
Our main goal and vision is to see the young players coming from our school playing for their national teams and premier league clubs,” added Katsande, popularly known as ‘Salt and Vinegar.’
YOFT delight 23-year-old winger Munashe Dinyero is a great example of the great being installed in Mashonald Central.
