Surestream Academy hopefuls reach 15 000
The rigorous process of identifying 100 young footballers for trailblazing Surestream Academy in Blantyre continues with the number of hopefuls swelling to 15 126.
The academy seeks to recruit boys for Under-10, Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 categories. So far, the 15 126 hopefuls are from 723 school teams, said the academy in a statement on Wednesday.
The Under-14 category leads with 194 registered teams and 4 830 players whereas the Under-16 has 183 outfits and 4 575. The Under-12 category has 177 clubs with 3 186 pupils. The Under-10 group has 169 teams comprising 2 535 footballers.
The schools belong to the academy’s Kamuzu Stadium, Chiwembe, Saint Andrews International Primary School, Saint Andrews International Secondary School, Bedir International School and South Lunzu zones.
Part of the trials will see the academy’s provisional Under-12 side take on their Kalibu Academy counterparts in a warm-up match on Friday at Surestream Stadium, formerly MDC Stadium in Chilomoni Township, Blantyre.
The stadium and the academy are separate projects for the institution.
“Surestream Academy is an ongoing exercise which aims at identifying about 100 young footballers that would undergo maximum training under the supervision of Surestream staff. The process of identifying the 100 young footballers has started and it is ongoing,” reads the statement.
The successful 100 players will, among others, enjoy international exposure through participating in European youth competitions and trials with top European clubs.
The final squad will also be attending school at the academy which opened last October.
