GUTU - National Association of Secondary Heads president, Johnson Madhuku says Coca-Cola through their bankrolling of the Copa Coca-Cola Schools Soccer tournament have proven to be the front-runners in promoting girls in sport.

Since Delta Beverages – through their Coca-Cola brand – partnered with Nash in the late 80’s, the football tournament was exclusively for boys but it was six years ago that the beverages giant decided to incorporate girls as part of their sponsorship package.

“As Nash we continue incessantly applaud, appreciate, and express our moot profound gratitude to Coca-Cola for their continued relationship, partnership and support of Nash football, this being the 28^th year for the boys’ sponsorship and sixth year for the girls.

“. . . Coca-Cola continues to support us in our view with a huge sponsorship package for both sexes, thereby taking a lead and teaching a lesson to fight gender stereotyping and marginalization in sports,” said Madhuku.

It was at the 2016 edition launch at Dewure High School in Gutu on Friday afternoon that the draw was held for both the girls and boys tournaments with Madhuku adding that they have put in place stringent measures to curb age cheating.

Defending champions in the Under-16 boy’s category Dewure who were drawn in Group A as the top seeds together with Gwanda High are the only two sides that have automatic slots in the competition leaving 10 other slots for provincial winners.

The same format has also been applied in the Under-17 girl’s section where defending champions Chidyamakono and hosts Colleen Bawn have automatic slots into the national finals with 10 more slots for provincial winners.

The provincial competitions – used as qualifiers to the national finals – are set for July 10 but the qualifiers will get underway with zonal competition on May 27 in all the 10 provinces.

2016 Draw

Boys

Group A: Dewure, Manicaland, Bulawayo.

Group B: Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North.

Group C: Masvingo, Midlands, Mashonaland Central.

Group D: Gwanda High, Mashonaland East, Harare.

Girls

Groups A: Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West.

Group B: Chidyamakono, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North.

Group C: Matabeleland South. Harare, Mashonaland East

Group D: Colleen Bawn, Midlands, Manicaland.