By Rex Mphisa
THE third edition of the annual Ziyah Media soccer extravaganza, now coming in partnership with Government, is around the corner and Beitbridge soccer lovers are in for a treat.
Ziyah Media chief executive Loadwell Ziyadumah said this year’s tournament will parade only local secondary school to give Beitbridge children the big stage.
Defending champions, Chibi Secondary School will be the only team from outside Beitbridge.
To refine the product, Ziyadumah has partnered the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture.
“We decided to focus on children in Beitbridge schools but obviously the defending champions Chibi Secondary School will be part of the games. This is a stage set for Beitbridge children to exhibit their skills and the date is November 22,” he said.
Recently Ziyadumah met the Matabeleland provincial head of Sports Frank Baloyi to fine-tune the day expected to light up Beitbridge.
“Beitbridge children have not been getting the chance to show their talents on the big stage which is what Ziyah Media and the Sports Department want to provide them,” said Ziyaduma.
“It is also a day we expect many scouts to attend and pick raw talent to be on parade. At Ziyah Media we have not taken soccer as fun only but as a profession and give it the seriousness due. The decision to scale it down to district level is deliberate and will give local children the needed exposure,” he said.
He wrote a letter to the Director General of Zimbabwe Sports, Recreation, and Culture (SRC) and advised them of the dates of the tournament.
“On behalf of Ziyah Media, it is with great pleasure that we inform you about the 3rd Edition of the Ziyah Media Soccer Tournament, scheduled to take place on 22 November 2025 at Dulibadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge,” he said.
“This tournament is held annually and has become a flagship event for youth development and grassroots football in the region. The competition brings together Boys’ and Girls’ Under-20 School Soccer Teams from across the region.”
He said participating schools this year include Chibi High School (Defending Champions), Tongwe Government, Zezani, Malala, Fountain, and Vhembe High schools for boys soccer.
Girls’ Teams include Malungudzi, Siyoka, Nuli and St. Mary’s High schools.
“The Ziyah Media Soccer Tournament aims to promote youth participation in sport, develop grassroots talent, and foster healthy lifestyles while fighting drug and substance abuse,” Ziyadumah said.
As an annual event, it provides a reliable platform for young athletes to showcase their skills, build confidence, and cultivate a love for sports.
“We trust that this information will be of interest to the SRC, highlighting the ongoing impact of grassroots sporting initiatives in uplifting youth participation and fostering community development.
The tournament will be coordinated by at Arthur Muoni.
District Sports officer Loveness Nemaramba said the Ziyah Media Schools Soccer Tournament is a commendable initiative that provides young people with a positive platform to showcase their talent and engage in healthy competition.
“As the District Sport and Recreation Office, we are deeply encouraged by such programs because they play a vital role in promoting discipline, teamwork, and positive lifestyles among learners.”
The department is concerned with the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse among youths in our communities.
“Sporting events like this are excellent avenues to raise awareness and advocate for a drug-free generation. We urge all schools, coaches, parents, and community leaders to use sport as a tool to educate learners about the dangers of drug and substance abuse.”
Nemara said her office remains committed to supporting initiatives that not only nurture sporting excellence but also promote holistic youth development, where young athletes grow into responsible, healthy, and productive citizens.
The Ziyah Media Sports tournament comes just after the country’s soccer governing body ZIFA signed a deal with the Ministry of Education to have soccer played in schools throughout the year.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) took a major step towards transforming grassroots football development through the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at mainstreaming football education in schools across the country.
Signed in Harare, the MOU establishes a national framework for cooperation between the two institutions to integrate structured football programmes within the education system, ensuring that pupils across all provinces and districts have access to organised football activities as part of their holistic learning experience.
The agreement recognises the vital role sport plays in nurturing discipline, teamwork, physical fitness, and leadership among young people.
It also aligns with ZIFA’s broader vision to build a sustainable football ecosystem that identifies and develops talent from the grassroots level through to the national teams.
Under the MOU, both parties will collaborate to establish an annual schools football calendar, strengthen teacher and referee training, implement safeguarding and child protection policies, and register all participating players in the FIFA Connect database.
The initiative will also support the inclusion of girls and pupils from marginalised communities, ensuring football remains a platform for inclusion and empowerment.