The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
FORMER Warriors captain, Willard Katsande, has been appointed ambassador of the Manicaland Juniors of Excellence Soccer Academy (Majesa).
The development is another giant step for the ambitious junior football academy as it seeks recognition beyond the country’s boundaries.
In a confirmation letter to Majesa, Katsande expressed gratitude to the academy for seeing his value.
“Thank you for the role you have given me in this huge project. I am really humbled by your confidence in me. I promise to give 100 percent effort in helping the academy grow. You are doing a great job, not only for our community, but the nation at large,” reads part of Katsande’s response.
In an interview with Post Sport, Majesa technical director, Sammy Kabwe, said they are excited about Katsande’s acceptance of their appointment.
“We are excited that Willard Katsande has accepted the offer to be our ambassador. He is an exemplary figure in local football circles. Our youngsters will surely learn a lot from him and obviously seek to emulate him.
“We also hope to ride on his popularity to reach out to international partners in our efforts to develop junior football,” said Kabwe.
The former Mutate City Rovers official confirmed the acquisition of new kits.
“We are continuing to prepare for the resumption of football action. In this regard, we have acquired new home and away jerseys, as well as training bibs.
“When we finally resume operations, we will do so without any challenges. We are using this time to fully prepare for that,” said Kabwe.
Majesa is the brainchild of businessman Charles Chave and Kabwe.
Upon its formation, the academy set high standards of professional junior football management.
As the only formally registered football academy in Mutare back, Majesa turned Mutare Sports Club into a platform to harness football talent for primary and secondary school-going youngsters in the eastern border city.
Recently, parents and guardians of Majesa players reaped early rewards of their children’s sweat when they received food hampers and $500 each in a Covid-19 player welfare assistance programme.
Since measures to curb Covid-19 have put physical contact training sessions on hold, the Majesa technical staff has been encouraging players to continue training on their own.
