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Sports Reporter
BARD Santner Markets Inc, a local financial institution that focuses on corporate finance, asset management, treasury services, and remittances, has extended its partnership with Legends Soccer Academy, a Harare-based football academy.
In a statement, Bard Santner chief executive Senziwani Sikhosana (speaking on video) said:
“We are extending our youth football and grassroots development partnership with Legends Soccer Academy. As part of the renewed deal and commitment to nurturing young soccer talent through the football academy, we will donate sports kits and other essential supplies to Legends Soccer Academy as we did last year. We are extending that for the year 2025 and in the process, we hope to step up our contributions as we try to solidify and consolidate our partnership.
We have been working with Legends for the last few years trying to make impact on development of young footballers.
Zimbabwe has got talent, but we need to capture and nurture it through investment in youth and grassroots football, human capital; that is skills and tactics, development coaches and facilities, and infrastructure.”
Bard Santner and Legends are ambitious.
“Beyond material contributions, Bard Santner has leveraged its connection with English Premier League side Everton Football Club to create better, advanced opportunities for promising youth, ensuring that talented players have access to career pathways in soccer,” he said.
“This collaboration exemplifies our dedication to fostering talent and contributing to football development in the country.”
Sikhosana said youth football development is crucial for many reasons.
“Grassroots programmes help identify and nurture young talent, providing a platform for them to develop their skills.
It focuses on training, technical skills, tactics, and physical conditioning which helps young players build a solid foundation and live healthy lifestyles.
Football helps young people develop essential life skills, such as teamwork, discipline, and communication.
These programmes incorporate educational components, promoting personal growth and development.
In the process, this brings people together, creating a sense of community and social cohesion which is what football does best.
That is why we would like encourage local corporates and individuals to support the sport. If we pool resources, we can make a greater impact and a difference to the sport, our communities and society.
We would also like to develop synergies with stakeholders: local clubs, foreign teams and our sports administration or football governing bodies like the Zimbabwe Football Association and Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, and others. We need a holistic football development blueprint and collaborations, especially focusing on grassroots or youth structures, to achieve better results.”
Legends was established in 2015 by Farai Dhliwayo and aims to make a great contribution to local football.
“It is visionary to find supportive sponsors passionate about football and investing in youth development and empowerment.
As an academy we do not draw large crowds, or have a product that is on television to attract sponsors, so any sponsorship to support our activities is driven by passion and long-term vision.
The progressive corporate world will reap the rewards of their sponsorship in future when the young legends develop careers and become established household names, and that is when they can associate themselves with their success. We thank Bard Santner for being
such a partner in the development of our young football cadets,” Dhliwayo said.
Online Reporter