After being launched last October, the Gerros Football Academy aims to help develop and grow football in the youth of Namibia.
The academy’s wants to identify and develop football skills, empower youth with academic enrichment, create opportunities, reconcile, transform and integrate football, as well as divorce youth from crime and drugs and help prevent HIV-AIDS among the youth in the community of Tsumeb and surrounding towns.
The academy helps young participants take part in life skills in football campaigns, awareness and peer education initiatives, as Tsumeb lacks recreational facilities for the youth.
To date, the academy has up to 144 players comprising of under 11s, under 13s, under 15s and under 17s.
The academy acknowledges the large number of boys and thus had seek help from already-established players like former Chief Santos’ players Ricardo Witbeen and Billy Tau-nareb, as well as Archy Benjamin who assists with the coaching.
Former Brave Warriors striker Gerros Uri-Khob, the academy’s chairman states that the development of the academy has been hindered by some challenges. “As for the development of the academy, we are faced with different challenges but with the assistance of the Tsumeb community and parents, I forsee the academy going forward,” he said.
In the same vein, he also acknowledges the assistance received from individuals like Lucus Victor, local businessman Moses Leonard, Black Africa goalkeeper Arnold Subeb, Luz Verde, Martins Enterprise, Nelson’s Quick Shop, Izzy Cranes and Julio Lopes who helped him realise his dream.
Even with only a few sponsors, Uri-Khob calls upon young soccer football lovers from Tsumeb and the surrounding towns to join the academy.
The academy is expected to play the Mario Nailenge Football Academy and Mathias Gaoab Football Academy in a mini tournament on 12 April in Tsumeb.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
