The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
COCA Cola has taken the initiative to level the prize money for this year’s Copa Coca-Cola Under-15 soccer tournament for both boys and girls.
The 2018 national Copa Coca-Cola soccer tournament was launched at Rusununguko High School in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East province this week.
In the past, the prize money for the boys was more than that of the girls, a move which always caused uproar.
In the previous years, the winners in the boys category walked away with $5 400, runners up with $3 000, third place $ 2 000, fourth place $1 500, while losing quarter finalists walked away with $850 each and the rest of the participating teams were given $750 each.
In the girls’ category winners were given $3 500 while runners up pocketed $2 200. Third placed team got away with $1 600, while fourth placed got $1 100. Losing quarter finalists and all the participating teams got $850 and $750 respectively. Coca-Cola senior brand manager Vee Chibanda announced that the girls that would be taking part in this year’s Copa Coca-Cola national Under-15 soccer tournament would now get the same prize money as the boys.
“We realise that there is no reason why the boys should get more than what girls get. So this year, the good news is that to mark our 30th anniversary, we have equalled the playing field. Girls’ prizes are the same as boys’ prizes.
“Last year we took the girls to the regional tournament for the first time and we are not going backwards, we are continuing with supporting both boys and girls,” she said.
Rusununguko High School, from Mashonaland East, are the boys defending champions. Chidyamakono from Masvingo are the reigning champions in the girls section and have been the title holders since 2013.
The Under-15 tournament will kick off on a zonal basis with winners progressing to the district level then provincial championship, culminating in national finals. The zonal games are set to start on May 24. The district competition is pencilled for June 8, while the provincial finals are expected to take place on June 22.
Mandava stadium, in Zvishavane will host the national finals from July 12-14. The launch was graced by former Dynamos captain Justice Majabvi, former Warriors defender Dickson Choto, Gunners’ More Moyo, Mighty Warriors player Rudo Neshamba and Greater Bande.
Teams were put in four groups of three. In the boys’ category, Group A is made up of Mandava High, Harare and Manicaland. Group B has Bulawayo, Midlands and Matabeleland North. Group C has Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland South and Mashonaland East. Group D is made up of Masvingo, Rusununguko and Mashonaland West.
In the girls’ category, Group A has Manicaland, Matabeleland South and Zvishavane High; Group B is made up of Mashonaland East, Matabeleland North and Midlands. Group C has Chidyamakono, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East. Group D has Harare, Masvingo and Bulawayo.
