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AN experimental US$130 000 project, which has seen a teenage rural orphan being airlifted from Marange to England, could open doors for scores of other budding local footballers dreaming of a crack at European football.
The two-year experiment is the brainchild of former Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers forward, Dexter Blackstock, through his recently-launched Prime Time Academy.
Blackstock, who is the CEO of MediConnect, a company which wants to revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry, is celebrated as one of the top 10 footballers who have made more money since their retirement from the game.
He is also heavily involved in the property industry in the United Kingdom.
Through Prime Time Academy, Blackstock says he wants to help Zimbabwe become a major hub, in terms of producing talented footballers, good enough to play in European leagues.
Prosper Padera, 16, who lost both his parents, is the academy’s first investment in a grand plan they believe could help transform the way local budding footballers get a chance to try their luck in Europe’s big leagues.
He has already been enrolled on a two-year scholarship at Brooke House College in England and the hope is that by the time he turns 18, he will be ready to sign his first professional contract.
Blackstock will pour in US$130 000 into Padera’s scholarship.
“I watched a series of games that Prosper played in and I coached his team at MAJESA Academy,” said Blackstock.
“When I saw him play, he had the ability and the style that would work in England.
“I didn’t see any other kid who was close to him or who I thought could cope with the intensity of the English game.
“So, it only made sense that we finance the move for him to train in England.
“We want Zimbabwe to become a footballing hub that churns out talent like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and other prodigious African countries.
“For the next two years, Prosper will be playing against some of the biggest football academies like Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and many more.
“The aim is that when Prosper turns 18, he will be able to sign a proper contract and, if he does well, he will hopefully take the leagues across Europe by storm.”
Padera, who is home for the end-of-year holidays, has already had a feel of life at an English football academy.
It’s a stunning transformation for the boy from rural Marange, who grew up in a poor family, and lost both his father and mother as a kid.
His late father didn’t want him to play football even though his talent had already started making a huge impression on the teachers and coaches.
“Instead, he wanted me to focus on my education, he used to teach me how to read and write, he always wanted me to be someone who was educated because we come from the rural areas.”
His luck turned when he was picked by MAJESA Academy, whose director, Charles Chave, bankrolled his studies at Mutare Boys High School.
Now, the poor boy from Marange could be the key in opening doors for the next generation of local footballers dreaming of a crack at European football.
Online Reporter