ZIFA will this weekend launch the inaugural BancABC Roots Impact Leagues, a nationwide youth competition aimed at creating a structured pathway for the country's next generation of footballers.
The leagues, which kick off on Saturday, are part of the BancABC Roots Impact Programme, a youth development initiative introduced earlier this year to strengthen grassroots football across Zimbabwe.
The programme caters for Under-14 and Under-16 boys' and girls' teams from the country's 10 provinces after a five-month talent identification exercise conducted in schools, communities and local football structures.
Week One fixtures will be played across three centres.
Prince Edward High School in Harare will host Harare, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central, with Harare taking on Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East facing Mashonaland Central on Saturday.
On Sunday, Mashonaland West meet Mashonaland East and Harare clash with Mashonaland Central.
In Bulawayo, White City Stadium and Crescent Sports Club will stage matches involving Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands.
On Saturday, Bulawayo take on Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South play Midlands, while Sunday's programme sees Matabeleland South clash with Matabeleland North before Bulawayo take on Midlands.
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The Masvingo pool, to be played at Victoria High School, gets underway on Saturday with hosts Masvingo facing Manicaland.
All Under-14 and Under-16 boys' and girls' matches will be played concurrently.
According to Zifa, the initiative seeks to address long-standing shortcomings in youth football development, including fragmented competitions, limited opportunities for players from rural communities, weak talent identification systems and the absence of a clear pathway into elite football.
The association also states that the programme places emphasis on safeguarding, child protection, coach education and proper governance to ensure young players develop in a safe and structured environment.
The national football governing body, quotes veteran sports journalist and football analyst, Steve Vickers saying: "This is a programme whose time has come. For a long time, Zimbabwe has had talent, but not always the systems to properly identify it, develop it and protect it. If implemented well, it can become a strong foundation for the future of the game."
The provincial leagues are expected to provide regular competitive exposure while enabling coaches and scouts to monitor players' development over time.
Zifa believes the programme will strengthen the national player pipeline by ensuring talented youngsters from every province, including those from underserved communities, receive equal opportunities to develop.
The association hopes the initiative will ultimately produce players capable of progressing to clubs, academies and the national teams, marking the beginning of what it describes as a long-term effort to rebuild Zimbabwean football from the grassroots.
