Daniel Sibanda shaping the next generation through PatDan Academy
By Augustine Mwanza | July 21, 2020
Red Arrows Midfielder Daniel Sibanda aspires to impact the lives of young stars in Kamanga compound and the surrounding areas.
It’s because of that fact that he decided to form an academy in 2017 with the hope of creating football stars and helping to shape the future of football in his community and the country at large.
The ZamFoot Crew caught up with the veteran midfielder who shared his vision and ideas for his academy.
The Airmen midfielder revealed that his wife was very influential in pushing him to take his dream if forming an academy seriously.
“I have always had it in mind to form an academy with the view of developing future stars and to help the boys to refrain from illicit activities in the compound such as beer drinking, Smoking marijuana, etc,” Sibanda told the ZamFoot Crew.
“It was not so serious at first until when I shared it with my wife who inspired me to go ahead with the idea and the academy was formed in 2017.”
“Initially it was called DanSiba Academy when it was formed and then I thought to start making an executive, I shared the vision with my friend Patson Phiri and he welcomed it and I made him chairman and changed the Name from DanSiba to PatDan academy, Driven from Patson and Daniel,” he added.
Sibanda hopes to one day develop the academy and take it beyond the borders of the Kamanga compound.
“We choose to start the academy in Kamanga compound as we looked at the idea of helping the kids around and trying to appreciate the society but with time when we find a Sponsor, we will definitely extend it. By the way, we are affiliated to FAZ under 14/16 zone three league,” he said.
“Our aim is to see that we improve the young players and get them to know the importance of football and how it can earn them good Living and change their families well being. the team and I are working hard to see the boys put education first and football second and we don’t tolerate any indiscipline and absenteeism from school..we shall be attaching them to other clubs as they are growing.”
The PatDan Academy Executive is comprised of five men and four women. The Women hold the Club Secretary and Treasurer positions as well as Committee members.
Sibanda is adamant about bringing change in the community and Zambian football at large and with help from the cooperate world his project may become a huge success.
