HARARE - Mhondoro's Mubaira Growth Point came alive on Tuesday afternoon with the Seed Co Soccer Tournament that brought together 14 teams from within the Mhondoro constituency.

Cash prizes of $1 400 were up for grabs while each player in all 14 teams walked away with 10 kilogrammes of maize seed.

Chitembere, a ward team, emerged the eventual winners of the inaugural Seed-Co Mhondoro Soccer Tournament after beating Chimoi 1-0 to walk away with the winner’s medals and $500 cash prize. Chimoi won $350 for their efforts.

 The tournament was also used as a platform to host HIV awareness programmes.

Seed-Co Zimbabwe director general Denias Zaranyika said the tournament sought to empower football talent in the Mhondoro community.

 “We want to see communities where our farmers reside developing, being expanded and improved by our own children who grew up in these communities,” said Zaranyika in a speech read on his behalf.

Solomon Kaseke, a former Zimbabwe Under-20 coach, who oversaw the running of the tournament, was pleased with the talent on show.

The former Triangle Football Club coach, however, advised the sponsors of the tournament to diversify and avail funds to train coaches in the community.

“Generally the talent is there. But talent needs to be directed and the only way to develop the talent is to have qualified coaches,” he said.

“Coaching is done in segments; we are talking of defence, midfield and strikers and in the end team work. As of now they say its training but it’s actually conditioning. We also need trained referees.” - Sports Writer