Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi recently in Beijing, China
JADEL Football Academy (JFA) looks set to embark on several expansion programmes in 2026 to continue grooming future stars in Zimbabwe and China.
Speaking at the Jadel FA 2025 Awards Night ceremony in Beijing last week, the academy’s founding director and former Zimbabwe footballer, Walter Musanhu said 2025 had recorded several success stories from the academy’s budding football stars.
Musanhu said the academy, which was founded seven years ago, will expand its exchange programmes with Zimbabwe.
“This year, 20 of our children and parents journeyed to Zimbabwe and returned not just as players, but as ambassadors of hope and unity… inspired and forever changed. They saw nature in its majesty, played on the sacred soil of heritage, and returned as one global family,” he said.
“And so, with great joy, I announce: the 2026 African Safari Zimbabwe Tournament and Sports Tourism journey has been moved to summer in July 2026 as the JFA cultural exchange programme and registration is opened and the adventure continues!”
Musanhu chronicled some of the successes recorded by JFA this year, saying 2026 will be even better.
“Our Jadel FA Sports Shop in Zimbabwe is now open, a home for our spirit far away. Construction is underway on our players’ accommodation hostel and 6-a-side training complex—a foundation for tomorrow.
“Our G5 and G7 teams claimed well-earned victories this semester in the winter league. Five players in JFA Zimbabwe earned national youth call-ups, including one girl, Sammy, who proudly represented her country abroad.
“Our 2034 World Cup Project moves forward, brick by brick, dream by dream. Next term, Sunshine Kindergarten will join the G1 league—the beginning of new journeys.
“And in 2026, Our 2011-2012 JFA team enters a new chapter to play in the 11v11 football league.”
He said since founding the academy seven years ago, the journey has not been easy but what kept him going, was the passion to nurture children.
“It is the love I have for these beautiful children who stand before you tonight. That is the only ledger that matters to me. What drowned out the noise was the sound of your children’s laughter, the sight of their determination—the memory of a first goal scored, a consoling arm around a teammate after a missed penalty, and the quiet pride in their eyes when they mastered a new skill.
Musanhu paid tribute to Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China, Mrs Abigail Shoniwa, China Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Zhou Ding, ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi, Tourism and Hospitality Management Minister Barbra Rwodzi and other stakeholders for supporting JFA.
“What makes Jadel FA special is simple: here, every child is seen. Every nationality, every background, every story is not just welcomed—it is cherished. We don’t just train footballers; we nurture future leaders, friends, and kind human beings.”
