Villarreal CF to Launch First-Ever Football Training Camp in Zimbabwe – Eduzim News

Sports Correspondent – Zimbabwean football is poised for a major boost as Spanish club Villarreal CF announced plans to host its inaugural training camp in the country in partnership with Athletes Sphere Academy.

The three-day camp, scheduled for April 27, 28, and 30, 2026, will be held at Morris Depot Grounds in Harare and is exclusively open to players from Athletes Sphere Academy, targeting boys aged five to 19.

One standout participant will earn a rare opportunity to travel to Spain and compete in an official Villarreal CF tournament.

Gerald Sibanda, Director of Athletes Sphere Global, described the initiative as a landmark moment for Zimbabwean football. “We are delighted to collaborate with Villarreal CF for the next chapter of our football development programmes for Zimbabwe,” Sibanda said. “It’s a great honour working with a massive club in Spain and UEFA competitions.”

He added that the partnership would bolster the academy’s credibility and attract further investment. “Our affiliation with Spanish football brings identity and investor confidence in our sports brand, Athletes Sphere Global.

This camp brings so much hope and excitement to our youth players from different backgrounds, and we look forward to learning and developing our players under the football methodology of Villarreal CF,” Sibanda explained.
Villarreal CF international business manager Brandon Páramo also highlighted the long-term vision behind the initiative.

“It’s great to collaborate in this first camp in Zimbabwe in partnership with Athletes Sphere Global. Through this initiative, we aim to share Villarreal CF’s methodology with international players, supporting their development by providing a unique opportunity to learn directly from our coaches,” Páramo said.

He emphasized that this marks only the beginning of the club’s engagement in the region. “This is just the beginning of our journey in the region, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration, creating further opportunities both on the sporting and commercial fronts in the near future,” Páramo added.

The training camp represents a significant step forward in promoting Zimbabwe as a hub for football and sports development, offering young players exposure to international coaching standards and the chance to showcase their talent on a global stage.

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