FC PORTO Dragon Force Zimbabwe Academy has expressed delight at the turnout of their holiday training camp, which kicked off on Monday at their Helensvale Sports Centre base.
The camp is set to conclude tomorrow.
More 200 kids both boys and girls from ages five to 18 years have turned up for the initiative, which is meant to take kids away from drugs and other vices, while helping them to sharpen their kills and giving them an opportunity to find a career path to Europe.
FC Porto Dragon Force Zimbabwe Academy is a project which has strong links with Portuguese football giants FC Porto.
“We are very happy with the turnout and I think in terms of what we wanted to achieve three days into the camp, we have so far achieved what we wanted. As you can see, the kids are happy and they are taking in the messages from the coaches as well,” FC Porto general manager Tichaona Moleni said.
“So, for us, it’s what we sought to achieve in terms of the technical ability, getting the kids involved and busy away from drugs, away from any other vices and developing their careers in terms of football.
“I think we are happy with the quality of players that we have. As an academy, our goal is to develop them. So, what we are seeing is that there is a lot of potential from the people that have turned out and we think we can work with them using the FC Porto methodology so that they can be able to achieve our standards.”
He added: “So, the standards that we are looking for are international standards and we are quite aware of the benchmarks that have been set by FC Porto and the quality that we have seen so far allows us to work with them to that particular level.”
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The boys and girls who are part of the camp came from as far as Bulawayo, Chegutu and Chitungwiza, while the bulk were drawn from Harare.
“The camp has been going very well and it’s important for us as an academy to see the growth of the kids as part of the FC Porto Academy. I believe this camp will grow them mentally and physically,” head of technical Tatenda Chidzingwa said.
“We have seen a lot of talent through the kids who are coming from our academy and some who have joined the camp.
“I would like to encourage parents to allow their kids to come and be part of our training camps. We intend to have these camps every year at this time to prepare kids for the football season at school.”
One of the girls who has been part of the programme, Tatenda Mushati, expressed delight with her experience so far.
“The camp is going on very well. I see a lot of improvement, team work, team building and a lot of talent here. It has been very fun so far,” she said.
“It’s important for us as young people to spend time here with teammates and coaches. It helped us stay off drugs and even crime.”
Legendary former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambga is part of the programme as the technical adviser of the academy.
FC Porto Academy have a number of players plying their trade in the Premier Soccer League, one of them being midfielder Calvin Chigara, who has featured for has Gweru based side TelOne FC.
Another midfielder, Takudzwa Jonga, is at Ngezi Platinum Stars.
