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Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]

BUDDING footballers in Midlands Province will soon be presented with an opportunity to up their skill in the game, as the Midlands Elite Sports Academy is expected to open for trials in the coming week.

The Academy is the brainchild of veteran football player Philip Marufu, who plays for Gweru-based Chapungu. Over a 100 players from eight to 18 years are expected to register in the institution, making it the biggest football training centre in Midlands Province.

After having satisfied and met the requirements of establishing the sport institution, Marufu sought the services of his former classmate Collen Nyambiya who he has partnered to offer essential consultancy.

Marufu, in a brief chat with Zimpapers Sports Hub at the weekend, said they were anticipating getting their programmes running from this week.

“We are pulling all strings to have the academy up and running. As things stand, we are safe to say that the coming two or so weeks, will herald a milestone in football in the Midlands Province,” said Marufu.

The Academy was in the process of identifying two playing fields, which will their a training base.

So far, Nyambiya has been helping the Academy advising on how to set up and kick start the project.

He explained his part in the Academy.

“As the Young Flying Stars Sport Academy we join hands with the Midlands Elite Sports Academy as they prepare to start their journey in grooming young players in football. We are fully behind Marufu, whom I am proud to say has done a big job in giving back to society. Here’s a man who has made sure that Midlands Province deserves a place in local football development. It is upon us to be part of this development. We are there till everything materialises for the betterment of football development,” said Nyambiya.

Marufu and Nyambiya once played together and have been friends since teenagehood.

Nyambiya is the director of Bulawayo-based Young Flying Stars Academy.

Meanwhile, Nyambiya has revealed that his Academy will soon be announcing their latest projects where they have registered some players to teams in the Castle Lager Premiership and the English Premier league.

“It is still baby steps but for the avid follower of sports news will be aware of what Young Flying Stars Sports Academy has done in identifying and exposing emerging football talent,” said Nyambiya. — @NkosieLegend