Byo players take up FUZ programme

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
TWENTY-five Bulawayo-based players have registered for next month’s Football Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) training camp aimed at helping out-of-contract players to secure clubs.

FUZ has lined up two training camps in Harare and Bulawayo. The Harare training camp will run from January 3-7 at the Motor Action Sports Club, with Bulawayo playing host to the Southern Region’s camp from January 10-14 at a venue yet to be announced.

FUZ vice-president Hebert Dick said 25 Bulawayo-based players had registered with their southern region office.

“The response has been overwhelming and we’re expecting to have more than 50 players to attend our Bulawayo training camp. So far we have 25 players that have registered, mostly from Division One. Most Premiership players have indicated their interest in attending the camp and have said they are coming to our office after the holiday. At the beginning of the year we had to cancel the Bulawayo camp because we had a low uptake in the city, but this time around it seems players are keen on this programme,” said Dick.

He said unattached coaches would provide training for the out-of-contract players, whom he urged to register at their offices in Harare and Bulawayo for the camps.

The former Zimbabwe international said they had also invited Premiership and First Division coaches to scout for talent at the camps.

“This exercise will not only help players secure teams, but also teams to choose from a wide range of players. It will also help in avoiding registering players already engaged by other clubs. Actually this is a chance for professional footballers to showcase their talent, be part of a comprehensive training programme, which will enhance their physical, tactical and technical skills,” Dick said.

Harare’s training camp held early this year had 70 participants, with a number of them being snatched by clubs.  Among those that were snatched are Guthrie Zhokinyi, who joined Triangle, Byron Madzokere (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Wonder Sithole (Mutare City Rovers) and Bosso reject Obert Tafira, who was given a two-year contract by South Africa’s University of Pretoria better known as AmaTuks. — @ZililoR