(Last Updated on August 27, 2012 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – ELEVEN young Zimbabwean players are currently in England where they are attending a junior development programme under English Premiership soccer giants Manchester United.
The young players, who left the country on August 18 and are scheduled to return home this coming Monday, are currently enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in England, courtesy of Munya Maraire’s World Wide Scholarships programme.
World Wide Scholarships Group, in partnership with Manchester United Soccer Schools UK Residential Camp, sent the 11 junior players for development with the world’s top club’s development programme.
The 11 players, whose team leader is Richard Solobala, are Zion Moore, Karl Hlongwane, Masimba Chigumira, Kelvin Marufu, Leo Maughara, Tadiwanashe Ngomane, Mudiwa Matyenga, Mufaro Mhariwa, Langton Maunganidze and Tinashe Chitereka.
Their training camp is being held at Denstone College with qualified Manchester United Soccer Schools coaches.
During the training camp, the players will be involved in seven days of intensive training and development. They will also get a chance to attend today’s English Premiership match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford.
Apart from this, the young Zimbabwean players will attend professional seminars developing their game as a player and they will also visit the Manchester Soccer Players Megastore.
One member of the team, nine-year-old Masimba Chigumira (Junior), son of Masimba Chigumira of Nelspot Holdings, this week received the Manchester United Junior Soccer Player of the Day award during the training camp. Masimba Chigumira (Junior) is a pupil at St John’s Preparatory School here in Harare and was chosen in the top 20 of the World Wide Scholarships team.
The objectives of the Manchester United Junior Soccer Schools is for each individual to attain their optimum level of performance and benefit from being coached the “Manchester United way” by highly qualified professional coaches.
All activity is directed to the developmental age of the participant.
Programmes are challenging but achievable, guaranteeing that each child leaves the training camp with a raised self-esteem and most importantly having experienced fun and enjoyment.
Munya Maraire, the World Wide Scholarships president, recently said this about the training camp: “Being able to promote this programme across Africa is a great opportunity. Working with the world’s biggest sporting brand is a challenge my company is looking forward to.
“With God nothing is impossible.”
Meanwhile, WWS have severed their ties with Castle Lager Premiership soccer side Blue Rangers.
The two sides entered into a partnership at the beginning of this season but WWS announced yesterday that they have pulled out of the deal with the local football club as owners ceding shares back to the former management — Eyelevel Investments.
According to a Press release from WWS, the decision to end their “marriage” with Blue Rangers was made on Wednesday.
The organisation, whose main vision is to link talented sports and academic students with scholarships and university placements overseas, said they made this decision to sever their ties with Blue Rangers as emphasis to continue to focus on their core business which is to develop junior talent.
“The World Wide Scholarships organisation signed a Memorandum of Dissolution of partnership with Eye Level (Pvt) Limited and the agreement was amicable and without prejudice to any of the parties involved,” said World Wide Scholarships in their Press release.
World Wide Scholarships have been linked with Juniro development initiatives with AC Milan Junior Camp and the Manchester United Soccer School.
They have also been running junior football trials in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa with the option of linking junior talent with scholarships in soccer and other sporting activities.