An academy with a difference

Founded by Sailas and Daizy Chawira at Checheche Growth-point in 1996, Chawira Sports Academy aims to take young people off the streets, fight crime, promote and introduce sport in rural areas.

Chawira explaining to community members his project.
Chawira explaining to community members his project.

“One of our key starting points of development will be the establishment of a training centre so that we are able to accommodate all identified children, especially those from rural areas,” said Sailas Chawira.

“We have noticed that during school holidays, rural areas have very few sporting disciplines and even those lack proper training facilities. This academy will allow children to train and enhance what they are being taught at schools. We want to challenge the status quo in which potential talent ends-up in the doldrums due to lack of training facilities. We are currently seeking to promote soccer, athletics, volleyball, netball and cricket from grassroots level,” he added.

The Academy does not only focus on sporting activities, but also provides life skills training to the youngsters. “We also want to keep the young people empowered for life after their sporting careers and have already incorporated life skills like dressmaking, painting, building, hair dressing and mechanics to make sure young people are able to continue making a living outside their sporting careers,” added Chawira.

“We need people who share the same vision to come forward and help us. We have the land to build the academy facilities and now we want training equipment like balls, sports kit, soccer boots, running spikes, cricket bats, etc to provide a conducive training environment. We would in the long run also look at establishing rapport with people who can link us with international academies so that these children can get international exposure.” The academy will also adopt a rural primary and secondary school and help them develop in a number of ways. “Those will be government schools in the area, where we will attach the children and push our developmental programmes. We will also be moving around nearby areas to help local schools understand developmental issues for a better tomorrow.” Chawira Academy has already produced such talented soccer players as former Chapungu and Dynamos hot-shot Philip Marufu, Matthew Mahala, Lonnie Mahala and Chrispen Machapa, who all played in the PSL.

Post published in: Football
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