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Robson Sharuko
Senior Sports Editor
ZIMBABWEAN footballers will now be able to dream of breaking into the Spanish La Liga, opening another key European frontier for the best local players to explore.

The top-flight football league in Spain has never featured a Zimbabwean footballer.

But, this could all change, as the first bricks are being laid, in the creation of a foundation, on which a number of local footballers will be able to build their dreams, of playing in one of the world’s leading top-flight leagues.

Athletes Sports Management director, Gerald Sibanda, whose company entered into a strategic alliance with La Liga side, Real Betis Balompie, last year, is in Spain.

It’s an official visit, in which Sibanda hopes to unlock a number of doors, for local football.

While the visit is mainly related to their partnership, with Real Betis, Sibanda said he will also try to use the opportunity to see how the local football fraternity, in general, can benefit.

“I arrived in Seville, Spain, on Saturday, this is my first visit to Real Betis Balompie, I’m just looking at the structures, and seeing the opportunities that can come to Zimbabwe,’’ said Sibanda,

The most important thing is the development of our football, and the many opportunities that we want to create for Zimbabwe, especially with Real Betis, especially the brand.

“Obviously, it becomes a dream for all of us involved here (at Real Betis) to see the first Zimbabwean player to play in La Liga Santander.

“We have never had a Zimbabwean player, playing in La Liga and, so, we are looking at creating as many opportunities as possible, for that to happen.’’

Sibanda said it was time new frontiers were opened for Zimbabwean players.

“I think I have been received very well and the agenda is to see how best we can create that gateway, for our Zimbabwean talent, to come to Spain,’’ he said.

“And, especially, to create opportunities for us to have the first Zimbabwean player playing in La Liga.

“From the Betis Academy point of view, it’s my official visit to have a look, and see what opportunities we can look forward to, in the coming season.

“We didn’t have much activity, in our first season, but we still are optimistic about the future, I think it is important for us to put the structures, there is the announcement of a big partnership, in the coming few days.

“Without sharing much, on this one, I think we just have to wait for the finalising of this deal, to go through.’’

Sibanda said Real Betis had taken a chance on Zimbabwe and it was important the country also repay the La Liga club, in one way, or the other.

Already, a window has been opened, for local companies, to use the huge reach, which La Liga have around the world, to take their brands to a bigger audience.

This offer has already been taken by Doves and Mirneva and Sibanda said they expect more local companies to come on board in the coming season.

“There are a number of ongoing meetings, in the next few weeks, which I will have to go through, with the entire club structure, from the CEO to the technical teams, just to see how these structures are,’’ said Sibanda.

“But, for me, what is also important is to see the opportunities, which we can create for our football, so that from this partnership, in which we have already seen Zimbabwean corporates like Doves, Mirneva, finding a presence, we can have more corporates coming on board.

“That is the next stage, to create opportunities for stakeholders, to tap into this real opportunity which Real Betis have offered us.

“I am here to enhance opportunities for our players, for our football stakeholders, to try and ensure that we see the first Zimbabwean play in La Liga.

“So, far the official visit, has been a success.’’

It’s the latest development in the global partnership, between Athletes Sports Management and Real Betis Academy, which was launched at a colourful ceremony, in Harare, last September.

The grand function was graced by Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister, Kirsty Coventry, Sports and Recreation Commission chairman, Gerald Mlotshwa as well as football legends, including Sunday Chidzambwa.

The Real Betis coaches, who are under the leadership of Murape Murape, were also unveiled at the function.

La Liga managing director for Africa, Marcos Pelegrin, described it as the dawn of a new era.

“This is only the beginning, the partnership will help transform the Zimbabwean football landscape,” he said.

“Football is a billion dollar industry and in Spain it contributes significantly to the country’s GDP.

“We are happy for this project and this will help both Zimbabwe and Spain improve in terms of the game.

“Real Betis Football Club has done a great job in establishing an academy in Zimbabwe. We know the passion which Zimbabweans possess.

“Grassroots football development is the way to go and we are very much happy to be part of this great initiative.”

Coventry saluted the Spanish team for choosing to establish their nursery in Zimbabwe.

“It is heartening to note that out of all the countries, you have chosen us in Africa,” she said. “We are hopeful that this initiative will go a long way in transforming Zimbabwean football.’’ The nursery will take on board players between the ages of 8 and 18.

“Besides sports tourism, we, at Athletes Sphere Management, believe that football has the potential to transform, not only individuals, but the economy at large,’’ said Sibanda.

“The academy of this magnitude, with top-notch expertise will, obviously, produce great players who the country will export.

“It is high time we start taking sport seriously as it has the potential to transform us for the better.

“Ultimately, Real Betis will have its footprint across the African continent, starting of course, with Southern Africa.

“It’s only a matter of time but, two years from now, we will be talking about even greater developments in terms of the game.”