THE Heart Group leader, Walter Magaya, has extended his benevolence to women's football by introducing the Plate Championship for the teams knocked out in the early stages of The Heart Women Soccer League Tournament.
The Plate Championship features the eight teams that were eliminated in the Round of 16 at The Heart Stadium on Wednesday, plus the four teams that exited the competition at the quarterfinal stage on Thursday. The bottom eight will battle against each other while the four quarterfinalists square off at their level with a lucrative purse set to be revealed, which is over and above the prize monies they are set to receive for participating in The Heart Women Soccer League Tournament.
Tournament administration manager Wellington Mpandare revealed the exciting news on Thursday evening.
“The Plate Championship is a fantastic addition to the tournament, offering more games and exposure for our talented players. We're committed to growing women's soccer, and this initiative demonstrates our dedication," he said. "Under one roof, fans, scouts, and coaches will witness the best of women's soccer, identifying future stars. The Plate Championship reveal the depth of talent in women's soccer, and we're honoured to be sponsoring this initiative." Tournament director Arthur Gorejena welcomed the newly launched competition as a step in the right direction.
"The Plate Championship provides meaningful matches for bottom-placed and quarterfinal-knocked-out teams, increased exposure for players and opportunities for scouts and coaches and above all helps with the continued promotion of women's soccer growth."