Baloyi’s academy dream on track
British company to back initiative
There is the popular adage that a dream delayed is not a dream denied and former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has taken a giant step in his longtime dream of establishing his own goalkeeper academy.
Since his retirement from the game in 2011, Baloyi has been trying hard to launch an academy that would specialise in grooming young keepers.
Baloyi enjoyed a successful football career keeping goal for Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns while also winning 24 caps for Bafana.
“It has been my dream for many years to start my own goalkeeper academy. We plan to launch it in January next year. Up to now, there is no established goalkeeper academy on the whole continent, that’s why I want to open it,’’ Baloyi told Sowetan, incidentally at a time when Amakhosi are experiencing a goalkeeper crisis due to injuries to Itumeleng Khune
Khuzwayo.
“Goalkeeping is arguably the and Brilliant most important position. As a country we have been spoilt that at least five can be able to compete with Khune [who is regarded as the No 1 in the country] but we need to develop more goalkeepers.’’
The 43-year-old goalie has partnered with British-based company Challenger Sports.
“We will help him by providing him and his team with all of the curriculum and the knowledge behind the programme. We will also be supporting him with all the marketing, equipment and resources,’’ promised Chris Sharman of Challenger Sports during the soccer clinics they conducted with Baloyi in Alexandra on Tuesday.
Although he is still uncertain of the venue where his academy will be based, Baloyi said his place of birth, Alexandra, is likely to be the home for his school for boys from age 10 to 18.
There is no established goalkeeper academy on the whole continent