Clever Boys Academy uses football to keep Duduza children off the streets
Clever Boys Academy hosted a tournament focused on football, discipline and keeping children safe.
Duduza – Clever Boys Academy brought young footballers from across Duduza together for a community tournament to promote sport, teamwork, and positive opportunities for children.
Held at Dan Radebe Primary School from September 24 to October 5, the tournament featured teams and more than 180 young players from the U9, U11 and U13 age groups.
The academy’s coach, Johannes Mokoena, told the African Reporter the tournament aimed to keep children safe and entertained during the September school holidays.
He explained that the academy was created to keep children away from crime and drugs within the community.
“One of the ways to keep children away from those things is creating a tournament like this and we got compliments from the parents because their children were safe with us,” said Mokoena.
The tournament had teams from other areas, including Springs Premier FC, Sunward Park Ballers and Thembisa’s Ambition FC.
Mokoena said the teams played their best, resulting in many goals during the tournament.
“As coaches, we were able to see the talent from the players, especially U9, and we saw their love for the sport.
“The tournament showed us that the U9 team is ready to play in the league and we decided that they will play there, as this year we did not have a team to participate,” said the coach.
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He said tournaments like these help players gain experience, build skills like discipline and punctuality, and form friendships.
Mokoena hopes the tournament will grow by having more teams participate and by having local vendors sell.
“I would like for local big businesses to also help with sponsorship in the future like with medals, prizes for the winners and soccer kits for the team.”
He said the community’s support was amazing because they could come and see the children.
Mokoena thanked the community and parents for coming, the school for providing the sports ground, and Standard Bank for lunch for the players.
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