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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE-OWNED, China-based top football nursery, Jadel Football Academy, are set to resume international tours after years of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Owned by former Young Warriors and Motor Action star, Walter “Ringers” Musanhu, the academy has been growing in leaps and bounce in terms of significance and influence over the years.
And with their footprints growing, Jadel Football Academy will start international adventures with the easing of the coronavirus scourge, especially in China.
Addressing parents, high-ranking officials and players at a colourful awards ceremony in Beijing, China, on Saturday, Musanhu expressed excitement ahead of the international tours.
“Many of you would agree with me, the past year has been difficult for all of us, especially the players whose training schedules were frequently interrupted by the Covid-19 lockdowns,” said Musanhu.
“Thankfully, this shall be a thing of the past.
“As Jadel Football Academy, we set ourselves goals that are in line with global football standards where we provide an all-encompassing training programme consisting of important aspects. I am happy to share with you that over the past year, our academy has been transforming.
“Through our science-based football regime, Jadel FA players have improved their physical fitness parameters of cardiovascular, endurance, muscular endurance, power, strength, speed, balance, coordination and agility over the course of the year. Their skill levels also went up from cognitive stage to associative and some to even autonomous stage.
“All this has been due to the hard work by the players and coaches and more importantly parents and families who supported the players, encouraged them and pushed them to improve. We will be resuming our international tours as we go.
“During the course of the year, our Under-14 team managed to come second in the Chongli Invitational tournament, and Under-10s came out seventh out of 10 teams. It is our hope that with borders opened this year, we shall be able to travel abroad for football camps or tournaments in order to allow our players to get exposed to the footballing world as we are an international academy.
“We hope to have an uninterrupted year where we will use a lot of testing, measurement, Stat Sport tracking device system vests which we have put under test these past days on few individuals shall be part of all kids.”
Jadel Football Academy have also embarked on a cultural exchange programme with one player Tawana Kunaka who is from Jadel Academy Zimbabwe gracing the awards ceremony. He will also spend some weeks in China.
“I am delighted to be gracing such a wonderful event that recognises the hard work us as players put in to improve our football skills and football understanding as per what our coaches teach us,” said Kunaka (16).
“Never in my life did I think I would ever get such a life changing opportunity to travel to China, learn their culture and values first hand. All this has happened because of Jadel Football Academy.
“I have to say I have quickly learnt that football is a global language and it can open up various opportunities if you work hard and position yourself.
“The academy has taught me discipline, team work, perseverance and a greater love for the game. We need to acknowledge God’s grace that protected us during the Covid-19 pandemic, we took a break from a game we love so much but we are happy to be back playing.
“This cultural exchange programme has given me an open mind as I am learning there is beauty in diversity and that there is so much to learn. My fellow team-mates in Zimbabwe are happy to be members of an academy that avails such opportunities.”
Online Reporter