Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
THE fourth edition of the Willard Katsande Under-18 soccer tournament will this year be bigger and better as it has gone national. The event was postponed last year as the sponsor, Warriors captain and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande did not have ample time in December when it was usually held.
The tournament, which has since begun at provincial level, will be held on June 4 and 5 in Mutare.
Panganai Mbaradza, the media and publicity officer of the event, has promised a much bigger and better tournament from the previous tournaments.
“We are promising fireworks at this year’s event and 16 teams will take part in the finals and we will consider high school teams and academies. And we are happy that Willard Katsande has once again committed himself to sponsor this tournament.
“Preparations are at an advanced stage and we have managed to book all venues we are going to use. I cannot give the total package (of the sponsorship) off hand but I can confirm that the package is likely to increase as it is now a national tournament.”
Last year’s winners Redwing Mine from Chipinge pocketed $800 while the 2013 winners Chipinge Academy walked away $500 richer, with two sets of kits, T-shirts and a floating trophy.
The event has also managed to attract former players and the Kaizer Chiefs supporters who have supported the tournament since its inception.
The Kaizer Chiefs midfield dynamo will continue with his efforts to give opportunities to young footballers by staging the fourth edition of the Willard Katsande soccer tournament in his home town of Mutare.