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Ishibobo Soccer Academy launched

19/10/2008 00:00:00 CHRIS DLAMINI

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MBABANE – Yet another soccer academy has been born in Manzini and it this one will not just be about the grassroots level but also mature players in the premier league.

The Ishibobo Soccer Academy was launched yesterday at Zakhele Community Hall where National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu was the main guest. Other guests included coaches, Manzini Mayor Owen Nxumalo and some councillors.

The academy has been initiated by one David ‘Mashibobo’ Simelane, who said it had always been his vision to assist in developing local football and they have targeted 2018 as the time their products shine for the country.

"We don’t have much yet but we’re certain of our vision and hope sponsors would notice our goal and pour in as this is for the country. This would also help keep our children away from the streets and other things like drugs as they would be playing football," he said.

He said they would get to business on Tuesday at Zakhele Sports Ground where they already have 50 children who come from various neighbourhood care points around the area to start with. He said their sessions would start at 2pm.

From next week, the sessions would be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. He explained that they have three stages to realise their dream, the first being the children in care points while the second is to have parents register their children at a fee.

The third stage would be special training for mature players from any league including the premier league where each and every player would be given special attention on whatever aspect he wishes to work on.

"We’ll have development coaches working with us and sometimes we’ll invite just about any coach from the higher leagues as coaches have different strengths," he added.

The FA CEO said the association would support the academy and also try to help where it can as there were special requirements for an academy to function properly. The Manzini Mayor pledged a first aid kit while coaches like Obed ‘Foreman’ Mlotsa, Musa Mamba and Zweli ‘Botsotso’ Khoza would also help.