English Premiership clubs to tour Zimbabwe during off-season break

ZIFA are today set to sign a landmark memorandum of agreement with the Eden Sports Group of the United Kingdom for a partnership that will, among other things, see English Premiership clubs touring Zimbabwe during the off-season break. The partnership could, in the long run, also see talented local players being helped with securing contracts with European clubs.

The deal will be signed by ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa in the UK.

The Harare businessman has been in Britain since leaving the CAF Congress in Morocco last week and has also met a number of Zimbabwean footballers, including Tendayi Darikwa, who yesterday penned a four-year deal with former European champions Nottingham Forest.

The proposed partnership with Eden Sports Group, which has more than 30 years of experience in the game, is also expected to reap ZIFA some financial benefits and also market Zimbabwe as a sports tourism destination across Europe.

"Eden Sports Group is an international sports company with over 30 years experience managing, developing various sports properties, including high-profile football teams, sports investments, sponsorship, commercial activities, sports media and television rights and athlete management,'' the MOU says.

Eden Sports Group would collaborate with ZIFA on certain sports development projects, convinced that there will be huge benefits for both organisations from the partnership, with the company set to concentrate on the following:

    Promote sports tourism in Zimbabwe in collaboration with ZIFA.
    Promote positive image of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwean people through football
    Formalise and co-ordinate a tour of any English Premier League or European Club during the period 2018 /2021 off-season
    Organise international friendly matches in football
    Organise training programmes in various sports disciplines for local players and coaches."

The company says it has a team of experts to drive that mission.

"Our team of people has the expertise and strategic planning to help Zimbabwe capitalise on sports tourism via sponsorship and partnership acquisition that will also guarantee an EPL club tour," it says.

"Our objectives will create partners that will drive the various projects to supplement ZIFA resources and leave a lasting legacy within the country."

Chiyangwa, speaking from the UK last night, said he was set to make a big announcement related to the deal in the next few days.

Meanwhile, Darikwa, who was handed a Warriors replica jersey by the ZIFA boss at a function in the UK recently, says it is a special feeling to come back to Nottingham having signed for The Reds from Burnley.

The full back was born in the city and he is looking forward to pulling on the Garibaldi in the 2017-18 season.

The Zimbabwean penned a four-year deal.

"I am delighted to be here and I'm glad it has all been sorted. It is a bit more special being a local boy, growing up and watching the club, and I am excited to meet my new teammates and getting started.

"It means a bit more to me to come back here. It is a special feeling and the club is in a good place at the moment and I can't wait to get going."

The 25-year-old said playing for Mark Warburton was a big factor in him signing for an undisclosed fee and he is keen to make an impression.

"As soon as I found out that the club wanted to sign me and the way the manager likes to play football, it was obviously a big incentive to come here.

"The last few years have been disappointing for the club and I have always kept a close eye on things being from the city, but now, under the new owners and with the manager and his team, hopefully we can have a good season together."