Herentals Group of Schools, owned by legislator Innocent Benza have embarked on a strong youth sports development programme aimed at changing the landscape of sport in the country.
Last week, the institution hosted a record-breaking 41 primary school at the National Sports Stadium's B Arena, where over 1,000 budding athletes converged for the national athletics and football gala.
The group is set to host a secondary schools gala from April 9 to 11 in Harare.
Regional manager Zeb Muronzi hailed the event as a resounding success.
"This gala is a testament to Herentals' unwavering commitment to nurturing the country's future sports stars. We're not just talking about talent identification; we're dedicated to talent development," Muronzi told The SportsHub.
Muronzi emphasised the institution's holistic approach to education and sports.
"We don't just focus on academics; we're passionate about creating a platform where kids can excel in both spheres. Our coaches and scouts were at hand to identify exceptional talent, and we're excited to welcome these young stars into our academies," he said.
The event featured an electrifying mix of track and field events, including high jump, and soccer tournaments for under-11 and under-13 boys and girls. Exceptional performers will be drafted into Herentals' academies, which are in most of the schools under the group.
- Byo armed robber in court
- Woman jailed 12 years for indecent assault
- Magistrate jailed 3 years for abuse of office
- Novelist ventures into filming
Keep Reading
The recent Herentals sports gala saw intense competition among participating schools.
In the boys' soccer tournament, Chitungwiza took top honours, followed by Ruwa in second place, while Zengeza secured third place.
The girls' soccer division saw Mabvuku claim the gold medal, with Greendale taking silver and Ruwa winning bronze.
In the athletics events, Ushewokunze dominated the competition, accumulating an impressive 212 points to emerge as overall winners.
The top 10 schools in athletics were:
- Ushewokunze (212 points), 2. Mabvuku (164 points) 3. Chitungwiza (136 points), 4. Budiriro (124 points), 5. Zengeza (76 points) 6. Tynwald (70 points), 7. Southlands (58 points) 8. Ruwa (52 points), 9. Westwood (50 points)
- Southlea Park and Machipisa (tied on 46 points)
"We believe in developing talent, not just identifying it. Our Premier League and Division One teams' coaches were here scouting, and we're confident that we'll uncover the next big thing in Zimbabwean sports," added Muronzi.
Coach Darlington Mahute echoed Muronzi's sentiments.
"Sport is a major priority for us. We give kids the opportunity to grow, and many have gone on to play at the highest level. We want to see even more of our students succeed in both school and sport," said Mahute.
"The future of Zimbabwean sports has never looked brighter."
The institution's proactive approach to nurturing young talent has become a beacon of hope for the country's sports enthusiasts.
Muronzi revealed that Herentals plans to expand its youth development programs.
"We're committed to creating a robust sports ecosystem that benefits not just our students, but the entire nation," said Muronzi.
"We're exploring partnerships with local and international organisations to further enhance our programmes."
The success of Herentals' youth development initiatives has not gone unnoticed. The institution has received accolades from the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) and the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
As the country's sports landscape continues to evolve, Herentals remains at the forefront, driving innovation and excellence in youth sports development.
With its commitment to nurturing young talent, the institution is poised to produce the next generation of Zimbabwean sports heroes.
