A world class soccer experience in Manchester awaits Soweto’s Refiloe Jane, Tshwane’s Frans Kagiso Kekana and Daveyton’s Sibusiso Molefe this week, after the trio ended in the top three positions in the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation’s Soccer Identification programme held earlier this year.
The players leave for the United Kingdom (UK) tomorrow for the week long trip organised by international sports firm Global Sports International. Jane, a grade 11 pupil at Emshukantambo Secondary School in Pimville, Soweto, finished in top spot in the talent identification competition, which was held in conjunction with the inaugural edition of the international acclaimed Gauteng Future Champions under 17 tournaments.
Suiderberg Secondary School’s Kekana is used to doing things at great speed, in being an accomplished 100 and 200 metres athletics sprinter at school. While arguably the quietest of the three travellers, he is ready to let his feet do the talking if he gets a chance of a run out on to some of the hallowed training turfs in the UK.
The trip has come as a sense of relief to Molefe, who is a grade 11 student at the East Rand School of Arts in Daveyton. While he is passionate about graphic design and music, it’s his love for soccer that lies close to his heart. He was distraught when he had to forgo the chance to travel on a soccer trip to Brazil earlier this year due to identity document (ID) issues, but the chance of visiting the soccer power city of Manchester could well make his year.
Having grown up in farm territory in Boksburg, Molefe–an orphan–has achieved success through hard work and commitment and deservedly is among the trio to travel to Manchester.
“I have no doubt that these three young soccer playing individuals will take full advantage of this life changing opportunity that offers empowerment and skills upliftment through sport,” said Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ms Nelisiwe Mbatha-Mthimkhulu.
“I am sure that our players will prove to be superb ambassadors for our proud sports loving Gauteng province, and will continue to entrench themselves as role models in their schools, communities and other areas of life.”
South African Football Association (SAFA) Soweto chairman and Gauteng Future Champions Tournament Director Phil Mogodi said: “Having come out on top in the Gauteng Talent Identification programme, the three players will go to England and have the opportunity to visit some of the top soccer grounds and attend other soccer related activities. The trip is not a trials session for them at a club, but a once in a lifetime chance to be a part of a world class soccer experience. The Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation needs to be congratulated for making this much sought after prize trip possible”.
Mogodi added that 80 soccer talent identification persons were put through a practical and theory session at the SAFA Development Centre in Soweto nine days ago, in a bid to prepare them to access the skills of the next group of soccer players in the under 17 age group.
The Talent Identification programme will be held from 10h00 to 14h00 in Soweto, Johannesburg (Saturday, October 17), Vaal, Sedibeng (Saturday, 24 October), Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni (Saturday, 31 October), Mamelodi, Tshwane (Saturday, 7 November), Cullinan, Motsweding (Saturday, 14 November) and Randfontein, West Rand (Saturday, 21 November).
The semi-final stage of the talent search will be held at the SAFA Development Centre, Pimville, Soweto (Sunday, 22 November).
For further information, please contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Cell: 083 507 8068
Issued by: Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government
3 October 2009
Source: Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.srac.gpg.gov.za/)
