Royal Oak Football Academy is preparing for another significant milestone in its youth development journey after receiving an invitation to participate in the Prime International Tournament 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Zimbabwean academy's Under-17 and Under-18 teams, comprising players born in 2009 and 2010, are expected to take part in the international tournament, which will run from December 12 to 18 under the hosting of Atlético Juniors Sports Academy Dubai.
The invitation places Royal Oak among academies from different countries that will compete in a tournament designed to combine elite youth football with player development, international exposure and cultural exchange.
According to the official invitation, participation will require all players and members of the delegation to possess valid international passports. Royal Oak Football Academy team manager Ephraim Mazarura will oversee the travelling delegation, while the Dubai-based hosts will facilitate official tournament participation documents to support visa and travel processes where necessary.
For Royal Oak, the Dubai tour represents more than seven days of competitive football. It reflects the growing recognition of Zimbabwean football academies beyond the country's borders and provides young players with an opportunity to measure themselves against international opposition during a crucial stage of their development.
Speaking about the significance of the tour, Mazarura said the experience had been deliberately structured to produce benefits beyond results on the pitch.
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"The tour provides a critical platform for character development. Operating independently in a new cultural and sporting environment will foster responsibility, discipline, resilience and cross-cultural communication," he said.
He added that exposure to professional football environments could shape the ambitions of the young players.
"Experiencing professional academy standards first-hand will also elevate the players' aspirations and reinforce the mindset required to pursue football at the highest level."
Mazarura said the initiative should be viewed as a comprehensive player development programme rather than simply another football tournament.
"The Dubai Tour is conceived not merely as a competition, but as an intensive 10-day high-performance programme aimed at accelerating the technical, tactical and personal maturation of every player."
Royal Oak Football Academy has built a reputation for producing players capable of progressing into senior football. Among its notable graduates is Hunters FC player Ordain Sira, while Ephraim Gwekwerere currently features for Simba Bhora. Brandon Chiragwi and Junior Banisi have also progressed to CAPS United, with several other former academy players establishing themselves at Division One clubs.
That production line gives additional significance to the upcoming Dubai tour. International competition offers academy coaches an opportunity to benchmark the quality of their development programmes against foreign counterparts, while players gain exposure that could potentially attract interest from clubs and scouts beyond Zimbabwe.
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