Tshankwa Juniors FC win inaugural Bulilima Under-17 tournament

Tshankwa Juniors FC won the first Community Champions League (CCL) Under-17 tournament in Bulilima. They defeated Bhulu FC in the final to claim the R500 winner's prize, while Bhulu FC took R200 as the runners-up.

The mini-tournament at Shilla Grounds featured four teams: Tshankwa Juniors FC, Bhulu FC, Diba FC, and Black Tigers Juniors FC. Organisers waived affiliation fees for the junior sides to encourage participation. The initiative aims to engage young people and build a foundation for the senior league by providing structured activity during weekends.

League manager and Black Tigers founder Million Tapela stated that the junior involvement addresses a gap where youngsters were previously unoccupied. He noted that rewarding the winners is intended to inspire commitment and prepare players for future participation in the main league. However, the league currently faces a shortage of footballs and kits for the junior teams, meaning they must share equipment with senior sides.

Plans are underway to expand the league's offerings to include netball to allow for female participation. This expansion will require the development of more facilities at Shilla Grounds to accommodate different sports.

In the senior league, which is now in its 11th week, Black Tigers FC defeated Delela FC 2-0 at Shilla Grounds. At Nyabane Grounds, Nyabane FC secured a 1-0 win against Diba FC. Local residents have noted that the league provides a constructive alternative to alcohol and drug abuse by giving youth a place to meet and play.