A Harare based football academy Legends Academy  has expressed its ambitions to produce players with the mental and technical abilities to have great professional football careers.

Based at Hellenic Sports Club in Eastlea, the academy’s core aim is to nurture talent from the ages of six up to 18 years. They have four dedicated coaches and at least one is available for one on one training sessions with the players.

Speaking to the ZIFA president Phillip Chiyangwa, who visited the training grounds, Academy director Farai Dhliwayo said they empower the young legends through football.

“With a philosophy of personal development that goes beyond sport, we use football as a vehicle to teach young legends to become better people. Irrespective of background, we give our players the chance to learn life-changing ideals about ambition, respect and teamwork,’’ Dhliwayo said.

Dhliwayo also revealed plans to set up a Football Development League that would afford the academies a chance to hold some competitions and assess the young players’ progress.

In response, Chiyangwa said ZIFA were looking to ensure there were registered academies across all the provinces, which would also undertake systematic development programmes to nurture the talent that is abundant in the country.- HERALD