Local football academy to tour Spain
FOR the first time since it was established in 2020, the Betis Academy Zimbabwe is embarking on a tour of Spain in December.
The Murape Murape coached academy is scheduled to visit the Real Betis headquarters in Seville for seven days. A total of 22 players from the Under-18s to the Under-12s will make the trip to the European country. A few parents and the Betis Academy Zimbabwe sponsors will be part of the trip.
Gerald Sibanda, the Betis Academy Zimbabwe president and chief executive officer said it was a thrilling time for the institution as they prepare for their maiden tour of Spain.
“It’s exciting times for the Academy, finally smiles for our youth players as they will get to experience first-hand behind the scenes tour to a top La Liga club. The tour for the Academy is known as Betis Behind the Scenes and will happen in December during the school holiday,’’ Sibanda said.
While in Spain, the Zimbabwean lads will be staying next to the Real Betis home ground.
“The travelling players will stay seven days in Seville, Spain at the Real Betis Hotel next to our home Stadium, Estadio Benito Villamarín, and all the training facilities for the First team and also for the entire club teams,’’ he said.
Since there are different age groups travelling, the players will be put in different groups according to their ages. Sibanda believes that this is a life changing opportunity for the youngsters who will make the trip.
“The players will be put into their respective age groups with Real Betis youth teams, they will have five training sessions, and two friendly matches to assess the level of our talent. There will be a Stadium tour, a City tour and Tourism Activities, a Nutrition Class and many other Activities. It’s a life changing trip for the players and the Technical Team that will be travelling,’’ said Sibanda.
He pointed out that this is aimed to be an eye-opening trip to expose the youngsters to higher level training.
“This is not a professional trial trip but an eye opener to the realities of first-class football on a day-to-day basis. We expect to send our current Under-19 players from February onwards for Professional Trials to Betis and also other clubs abroad. Our next Betis Behind the Scenes tour with another group will be in April 2023,’’ stated Sibanda.
In August 2020, Real Betis and the club’s foundation reached an agreement with Zimbabwean agency Athletes Sphere Management (ASM) to launch a series of sports projects in the Southern African country within the club’s strategic plan looking to extend its brand and line of attack throughout the world, while educating and transmitting the institution’s values through football. It is the Spanish club’s first and only academy on the African continent. — Follow on Twitter @ Mdawini_29