GRASSROOTS football received a shot in the arm when retail company TN Beverages poured in $200 000 into primary school soccer at a function held in the capital Friday afternoon.

Through their brand, Premier Mahewu, TN Beverages launched the Premier Plus Mahewu Under 14 National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) School Soccer tournament which will run for two years at a budget of $100 00 per annum.

The tournament will start at zonal level in May straight up to the national finals which are set for Kwekwe at a date to be announced.

TN Beverages chief executive officer Tawanda Nyambirai said it was prudent to develop talent at an early stage.

“We look at children as influencers of their colleagues, parents and siblings,” said Nyambirai.

“This is a two-year sponsorship deal which will run on a $100 000 per annum budget.”

Guest of honour and Minister of Primary and Secondary School Education Paul Mavhima hailed TN Beverages for their initiative.

“Sport has become an integral part of our updated curriculum. Education is not just about traditional arts or sciences, or academic subjects.

“Education that’s good for the nation has got to be as wide as possible. Look at the likes of Norman Mapeza, Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari, they are all surviving on football.

“Can you tell me Dudu Manhenga (singer) isn’t surviving through art?” said minister Mavhima.

NAPH president Cynthia Khumalo confirmed that the tournament will kick off in May.