Dream come true for Betis Academy as they date Man...

Dream come true for Betis Academy as they date Man U, Inter on Spain tour

Bridget Mabanda

Twenty-four young footballers from the Betis Academy in Harare will go on a 10-day tour of Spain between December 10-17 where they will be exposed to high football standards courtesy of a partnership that exists between the sports institution and top La Liga side Real Betis (Balompie).

During the course of the camp, they will also have an opportunity to play Manchester United and Inter Milan, according to an itinerary made available to Zimbabwe Now.

Launched in October 2020, Betis Academy Zimbabwe is part of the international grassroots development programmes of Real Betis Balompie, one of the most prominent La Liga outfits which was established in 1907 with a mission to bring the experience and expertise of the Real Betis Academy methodology to the world on a permanent basis.

Real Betis won the league title in 1935 and the Copa del Rey in 1977, 2005 and 2022.

Managed by former national rugby team player, Gerald Sibanda, its local subsidiary, Betis Zimbabwe has, among its technical structures, Murape Murape as head coach, Johannes Ngodzo and Gift Lunga (assistant coaches), Tichaona Diya (goalkeepers’ coach) Grant Mitchel (strength and conditioning) and Dr Nicholas Munyonga as the team doctor.

It is exclusive for boys and girls looking to add value to their soccer experience and enjoy a high-class training methodology.

Sibanda said the trip will be a dream come true for the youngsters to see the reality of going to Spain on the tour.

“The students are excited. Most players that come from these territories in Africa when they get a chance to go to Europe, usually go to Division 2 or 3, but now they are getting first-hand experience of a top La Liga club and spending time for them to see the reality of the modern top club (Real Betis). It’s a dream come true for most of them.

“It is a fact that Zimbabwe has talent, but not enough pathway for most young boys and girls to make it to the top. Betis is there to provide that platform and we are not only doing that through football. We also teach them Spanish as a culture so that they are able to develop language, skill and talent all at once.

“We want to help Zimbabwe football to compete on high levels. You cannot do it from outside, but from grassroots. We are not yet fully subscribed but we have to do an outreach programme in the county for us to grow and expand since we are in Harare and Bulawayo only,” he said.

Currently, Betis caters for the 6-18 age category.