His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has officially launched the Zimbabwe Football Association Munhumutapa Challenge Cup as the country intensifies its use of sports to unify, protect and enhance national productivity.
Speaking at the launch held at the Celebration Center this Wednesday, President Mnangagwa noted that football is a universal language and will shape the country's future architecture.
"They say football acts as a universal language, transcending cultural, religions political and age divide, fostering shared passion and a sense of community. Being a football supporter myself, (musandibvundze team yandinotsigira) I know the power of football in uniting diverse peoples, promoting cohesion and a sense of belonging for communities, fans and players alike. It is with this context that I am very pleased to officiate at this historic launch of the Zimbabwe Football Association Munhumutapa Challenge Cup. This is a defining moment in the history of our country’s football development," President Mnangagwa said.
"The initiative represents an innovative and groundbreaking structure that is set to alter the architecture of our country’s soccer arena over the next five years. Happening at a time characterised by shifting dynamics and factors affecting sports in general, I congratulate ZIFA and all stakeholders for their foresight and institutional dexterity which has resulted in the unveiling of this noble idea. Makorokoto. Amhlophe.
"Our gathering today is most opportune, occurring against a background of the continued visibility and superb performance of our country’s National Teams on the global sporting stage. On behalf of Government and the nation as a whole, I formally congratulate our national Cricket team, the Chevrons for their spirited play at the ongoing ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup. I equally commend the Mighty Warriors for their performance during the Women’s COSAFA Tournament. They were indeed a worthy representation of our collective national trait of determination, resilience and pride in who we are as Zimbabweans. May the performance of the Chevrons and Mighty Warriors be a source of inspiration to our many young people and an assurance that, they too, can show case their God given talents on the world stage. Makorokoto, Amhlophe."
President Mnangagwa noted that the "name Munhumutapa evokes unshakeable strength and fortitude, authority and civilisation. It reminds us that sustainable progress must be anchored on our rich national identity, values and heritage. To this end, the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup symbolically connects our rich history to our brighter future, leveraging on sport. This competition framework is an essential building block towards a football sector that is integrated into the broader national transformation and socio-economic development agenda. It also embodies a generational resolve to scale up inclusivity and maximum benefits to all actors within the football fraternity and sporting in general. Well done.
"This Challenge Cup, with an annual commitment ofUS$5 million, culminating in a US$25 million investment over five years, is set to transition national soccer from fragmented competitions to a more cohesive and integrated football ecosystem. It is praise-worthy that the framework brings together senior men’s football, senior women’s football, junior development structures, Five-aside version of soccer as well as the beach soccer under one accountable and professionally governed system. I congratulate ZIFA for this all-inclusive approach, which will go a long way to ensure that athletes in football, realise their full potential. I urge you all to maintain the thrust where development, empowerment and wealth creation opportunities for the youth and women, are at the heart of this initiative. Under my Administration, no province, district, or talent must be left behind."