With the aim of developing grassroots football, the Spanish football club Real Betis has settled on setting up a second academy in Zimbabwe after the first investment in Morrocco.
In a press statement, the club said it will team up with Harare-based Athletes Sphere Management (ASM) in accomplishing its missions in the country. ASM is in the process of launching a series of sports projects in the African country in line the clubs strategic plan to extend its brand and methodology throughout the world.
The other aim of the ASM is to educate and transmit the values of the institution. The club also looks forward to developing grassroots football by implementing the Club’s methodology, as long as the evolution of the pandemic allows it.
While commenting on the initiative, the CEO of ASM Gerald Sibanda said:
“I am really happy with this agreement that will bring first level opportunities to Zimbabwe. From ASM we are looking forward to helping with the growth of Real Betis Balompié and its brand in the region through the different projects that will be born as a result of this agreement. I am grateful and it will be an honor to lead the Betis Academy project in Zimbabwe. My blood is now verdiblanca,”
The Manager of the Real Betis Foundation Rafael Muela expressed his thirst and hunger for the success of the project and hoped it would be an opportunity to help aspiring soccer players achieve their dreams.
“In this exceptional situation, agreements like this make us especially excited and fill us with optimism, since they show us that both the Real Betis Balompié Foundation and our partners around the world work so that young people can enjoy football,” said Muela.