adminCurtworth Masango
REAL Betis Academy Zimbabwe chief executive, Gerald Sibanda, says there is no replacement for hard work for budding sports stars.
He was speaking at the The Heritage School Annual Sports Awards where he was guest of honour.
The event was held to celebrate the school’s outstanding athletes of the year.
Sibanda is a former Zimbabwe rugby player and founder of sporting agency, Athletes Sphere Management (ASM).
His sporting agency secured the deal to open the first-ever Real Betis Academy on the African continent in Zimbabwe.
“You are the champions of tomorrow, continue to improve, work extra hard,” he said.
“Dream big and continue listening to your coaches and trust the process of your development. “Many great athletes and superstars, with the opportunities, will create for you a pathway.”
Sibanda said athletes should always be allowed to take sports seriously, as it is now a career, not a hobby.
“You will remember this day when you are somewhere in the world.
“One day your parents will remember this day flying in one of your private jets.
“So, in your curriculum, school sport is one of the careers, not a hobby.
“I wish you all the best, and to the athletes, we celebrate you today. “We look forward to the coaches impacting all the skills and expertise to allow you to excel.”
He added:
“Some will go to university, some will play professional sport and some will become better people because of the different social skills that sports give you.
“To the teachers, we thank you for raising complete athletes.”
Online Reporter