14th December 2024
Schächter Sports is a company that works closely with Bundesliga clubs to introduce grassroots football programmes in South Africa and they are currently hosting 16 young footballers from a South African football organisation called The Football Union.
Speaking to SABC Sport Schächter says Mainz and the Bundesliga are committed to bolstering their relationships with organisations that work in football development in SA.
''A full experience of the German football ecosystems, they will watch professional football games, they will also have the opportunity to train with different professional clubs. They will experience one of the best Academic clubs in Germany, which is Mainz 05. Two of the kids will walk in players during the game. We have a full commitment to learn from South Africa, as well that we give our expertise back, and give back to help grow South African football,'' said Schächter.
With Bafana Bafana legend Sibusiso Zuma having played in Germany for Arminia Bielefeld, Schächter adds that Zuma’s playing style is how they discovered how talented SA footballers are which now pushes Bundesliga clubs to want to do more work in the country.
Schächter also believes that their partnership with the SABC is very important to introduce South Africans to German football.
''I believe that South Africans have a strong commitment to football from what I found out. There's a deep commitment to the German market, through some of the players who have played here. We want to get to learn from the South African culture and of course the media plays an important role,'' added Schächter.