adminTadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
TWENTY-TWO Real Betis Academy Zimbabwe players are set to undergo a major transformation in their game when they visit Spain in December.
The nursery is an offshoot of Spanish La Liga football side Real Betis and the youngsters will get to experience firsthand the bits and tits of being professionals in a one-week stay in Seville, the city Betis are based.
The 22 players range from the academy’s Under-12 to Under-18. Academy director, Gerald Sibanda, yesterday confirmed they will be visiting the European country during the December school holidays.
“It’s exciting times for the Academy, finally smiles for our youth players as they will get to experience firsthand behind the scenes tour to a top Spanish La Liga club.
“The tour for the Academy is known as Betis Behind the Scenes and will happen in December during the school holidays.
“The traveling players will stay for seven days in Seville, Spain, at the Real Betis Hotel next to our home stadium, Estadio Benito Villamarín, and all the training facilities for the first team and also for the entire club’s teams,” said Sibanda.
“The players will be put into their respective age-groups with Real Betis Youth teams, they will have five training sessions, and two friendly matches to assess the level of their talent.”
Sibanda said the life-changing trip will also see players get into sports nutrition classes while they will also have time to visit some of the tourism places in Spain.
“Besides touring the stadium and the Seville city, the players, who will also be accompanied by selected parents and Real Betis Academy Zimbabwe sponsors, will also get an opportunity to get tips on sports nutrition and will be involved in tourism activities.
“It’s a life changing trip for the players and the technical team that will be traveling.
“This is not a professional trial trip but an eye-opener to the realities of first class football on a day-to-day basis. We expect to send our current Under-19 players from February 2023 onwards for professional trials with Real Betis and also other clubs abroad.
“Our next Betis Behind the Scenes tour with another group will be in April 2023.
“We would like to reserve some special thanks to the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, the Sports and Recreation Commission, the Spanish Embassy and our motherbody ZIFA who have given us great support and ensured Real Betis has a good home in Zimbabwe.
We are growing as a Brand in Zimbabwe and Africa.”
At the moment, Real Betis Academy continues to gauge their development through playing friendly matches against other academies.
Online Reporter