LaLiga side Real Betis have officially opened their new academy base in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Spanish top flight side’s plans to unearth football talent in Zimbabwe had to be placed on hold due COVID-19 however, this weekend saw the official opening of their state of the art academy in Harare.
Watch: Inside Betis’ new academy in Zimbabwe
“This is only the beginning. The partnership will help transform the Zimbabwean football landscape,” La Liga managing director for Africa Marcos Pelegrin said as quoted by the Herald.
“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.”
Zimbabwe has seen the likes of Knowledge Musona, Marvelous Nakamba and Marshall Munetsi prosper in Europe over recent years. They’ll be hoping for many more youngsters to follow suit and eventually feature for Real Betis in the Spanish LaLiga.
