The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
FRANCE-based Warriors striker Tino Kadewere has asked for land from Harare City Council to build a state-the-art football academy.
The Olympic Lyon star striker, who donated two sets of football kits to his former club Harare City Wednesday afternoon, wants the PSL side to forge a strong relationship with his foundation (Kadewere Foundation).
The Kadewere Foundation controls Highfield Academy, which produced the striker before he moved to Harare City and later FC Djugardens, Le Havre and Olympic Lyon.
And he now wants the academy to form a sound partnership with Harare City FC to promote upcoming talent.
In a voice recording sent from his base in France, Kadewere thanked Harare City “for making him what he is today”.
“They (Harare City) welcomed me and made me feel at home.
“I thank God for making it possible for me to link up with Harare City,” said Kadewere.
“This little gift is a beginning of something bigger that we are planning with this club.
“Our plea is to have a big connection with Harare City. If we can manage to get land to put a football ground, build classrooms, a gym with the connections I have had, I can be able to assist the young players.”
Kadewere Foundation president Mavis Kadewere, who is also Tino’s mother, thanked Harare City for grooming her son.
“I want to thank Harare City for lifting up my son.
“They groomed him (Tino) into what he is today.
“I never missed Harare City games when Tino was there.
“Thank you! We have come with the little that we have,” said Kadewere’s mother.
Kadewere Foundation chairperson Prosper Kadewere handed over the two football kits – a yellow home kit and a black away kit – and pledged more support for the club.
Harare City FC chairperson Alois Masepe expressed gratitude for the gesture.
“We are happy we are partners. Tino is our son, he joined the academy in Division One before God opened doors for him.
“Tino is a well-groomed son, he knows his roots,” said Masepe.
“What Tino is saying is that football is no longer a social activity, its a big business, he is talking business.
“Let’s continue to think of football as big business. He has talked about land, and the city fathers here present you have heard.
“We have discussed about the link-up between Harare City and Kadewere’s Highfield Academy.
“This relationship must grow. We are proud of Tino, he is playing well.”
Harare City FC chief executive officer Tafadzwa Bhasera and some councillors in charge of sport attended the event.
