A Spanish football club, Real Betis is set to establish the first-ever academy on the African continent in Zimbabwe after reaching an agreement with Zimbabwean agency Athletes Sphere Management (ASM) to launch a series of sports projects in the Southern African country.
Real Betis announced the development in a statement issued this Thursday noting that the academy will become operational in October. Reads the statement in part:
As an initial step, Real Betis and the Real Betis Foundation will start operating from October, together with ASM, the first Betis Academy on the African continent, specifically in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, with the aim of developing grassroots football on the region by implementing the Club’s methodology, as long as the evolution of the pandemic allows it.
ASM founder and chief executive officer, Gerald Sibanda who is a former Zimbabwe rugby international player expressed happiness over this global partnership which he said brings world-class community opportunities to Zimbabwe.
On behalf of La Liga, Marcos Pelegín, the managing director for Southern Africa said they were excited for Real Betis and for the young Zimbabwean football players that will enrol in this program.
More: The Sunday News