Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Reporter
YOUNG football players will be afforded a chance to showcase their skills under the watchful eyes of scouts from top local clubs in an off-season camp starting this week in Bulawayo.
The camp, organised by Young Flying Stars Sports Academy targets out of school players and out of contract stars from the ages of 17 to 23.
Running from 10 January, the football camp will be open for three weeks, according to Young Flying Stars Sports Academy director Collen Nyambiya.
Nyambiya told Zimpapers Sports Hub that they envisage providing players with an opportunity to start the New Year on a positive note.
“There is a need to give an opportunity to players who are out of contract, young football players who have nowhere to train. We will open for those coming from other places like Esigodini, Inyathi, Plumtree, Tsholotsho, Hwange, Gweru and other places. This will be a camp where they will show coaches and scouts what they are made of.
“We are going to invite various coaches from Premiership clubs. They will come to the camp to watch the players. The camp will run for three weeks,” said Nyambiya.
He said within the three weeks, players will not only spend time playing but they will do off field activities.
“At the camp, players will be addressed on contract negotiation, rules of the game, media relations and other facets. We devised a work plan that also includes exposure to theoretical concepts of the game, life skills impartation, psycho-social support and the basic behaviour management.
“The first week will be on conditioning. In the second week we will have ball movements, skills and technique. In the third week, we will then concentrate on games. This is the time when coaches and scouts will come to the camp,” said Nyambiya.
He said players who would want to participate at the camp have to pay.
“This is a well-planned programme that also demands that we have a sound financial back up, that is why players have to pay to be part of it. The money goes to their upkeep and other resources needed to fully cover a comprehensive football camp.”
The Young Flying Stars Sports Academy director said in coming up with the camp concept, they had to borrow a leaf from the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) who also had a similar project in the past years. – @NkosieLegend.
Bongani Ndlovu