Sports writer
Former Masvingo United and Highlanders red hot striker, Simba Gate who tested COVID-19 positive while he was playing premier league football in India four years ago,before returning home has launched a successful academy which has become the talk of Kwekwe city.
The Simbarashe Gate Soccer Academy, based in Kwekwe( his home town) has ballooned accommodating up to 90 kids.
In an interview with The Blast, the ginger haired talented former striker said his aim was to develop young talent and ensure that the youths stay away from drugs and substance abuse.
“When I came from India, four years ago where I was playing in that country’s premier league, after being affected by COVID-19, I came back home and started my own , academy, Simbarashe Gate Football Academy in Kwekwe.We are based at Chana primary school,” said Gate.
“The age groups of the academy which is developing 80 to 90 kids, comprise of the age groups of under eight years, under 10, under 13, under 17 and under 20.
“This year, we are resuming trials on Saturday at Chana primary school.Those who are free can come to trials on Saturday and then on Tuesday next week, we resume our training for 2025”.
Gate said the academy has scored an amazing success banging home eight to 10 trophies in tournaments it has participated in.
“So far we have won eight to 10 trophies and we have been two times league winners.We are winning quite a number of games.
Our main is to help these youngsters to stay away from drugs and substance abuse, we want to put them away from the drugs and develop their talent so that they put maximum effort on football,” he said.
Gate bemoaned lack of support from the business community and also lack of tournaments to expose the youngsters’ talents.
“The challenge we are currently facing is that we are lacking adequate tournaments so that the youngsters can have full exposure.Last year I arranged seven tournaments using my own pocket, but we have big businesspeople who are only focusing on boozers football, pouring their money there, but they cant put money to develop junior football.The future of Zimbabwe football lies on the junior players.
“I remember way back when we were playing for Lancashire Steel, we were playing junior football after playing as curtain raisers we then watched Dynamos versus Lancashire Steel..it really inspired us unlike today where football is no longer seriously taken into consideration.Today big teams are specializing on senior players, leaving out juniors,” he said.
Gate who once was favourite of Masvingo United fans at their citadel, Mucheke Stadium, won the top goal scorer tag, after banging 10 goals in the OK Woza Bhora tourney which ironically was won by Una Una, then under the tutelage of the chain smoking gaffer,Luke Masomere in 2005.