‘My vision is to see this team in the premier league’

Fairmont-based and registered non-profit company Help Academy Youth Development founder, Mahama Musah Arthur, has a long-term vision for his young boys in the football team.

Arthur (39), a grassroots football coach who has taken more than 60 boys from Alexandra out of the streets and away from mischief, said his long-term vision for the academy was to see the team move up the ranks of the various development leagues until it reaches its pinnacle, which is the prestigious Premier Soccer League.

“My vision is to see this team in premier league one day and then I can relax, look back and say I have done the job,” Arthur said.

Arthur has four teams in the various age categories, those being the U11, U12, U13 and U14 and currently works only with boys, but hopes to include the girls in the future once the academy is up and running.

“I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew for now, as I am still trying to find my feet. The girls are in my long-term plan for the development of football in Johannesburg. I am going to bite piece by piece until I am confident that my feet are firmly on the ground.

“Only then can I look on the sides and start making additions to the teams, especially taking into account the element of gender balance in the academy,” said Arthur who is currently seeking assistance to transport his aspiring Alex footballers to games and training sessions.

Arthur, a Lyndhurst and former Alex resident, said the transport situation for his boys was so desperate that at times he runs out of fuel, stops the car and makes a plan.

His U12 side are currently the champions of the American International School Johannesburg Tournament which was held in October. SuperSport United were present at this tournament with their own academy. They are organising a match between themselves and Arthur’s boys before the end of the year.

Details: Mahama Musah Arthur 078 670 0139 or 083 319 7907 or arthur@helpacademy.org or www.helpacademyyd.org