Jason shines on the field

Smith scored the first goal for Gauteng and after three days of matches, Gauteng was the clear winner of the soccer.

April 4, 2022

Stephan Lehman 2 minutes read

Jason Smith (mid-left of the group) with teammates and coaches at the 2022 Toyota South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled National Championships.

Bedfordview resident Jason Smith excelled after competing in the 2022 Toyota South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled National Championships, where he was selected as a member of the preliminary national team.

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The 18-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, competed in the championship after he and several other players from Kwa-Thema Sports Academy were selected as part of the team for the championship last year.

Held at Germiston Stadium between March 19 and 22, the first match saw Gauteng face off against North West.

Smith scored the first goal for Gauteng, and after three days of matches, Gauteng was the clear winner of the soccer event.

This was the second time Smith competed in the championships, the first time being three years ago when the championship was held in Stellenbosch.

Smith’s mother, Jennie, said her son started showing interest in soccer during the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

“Mohamed Salah from the Liverpool team, Egypt’s team in the world cup, was the player who inspired Jason,” said Jennie.

She said Salah was still Smith’s idol.

Although Smith was interested in soccer, there were no facilities in the greater Bedfordview area that catered to the physically disabled.

“Jason played soccer with his school friends but battled to keep up.

Bedfordview resident Jason Smith on the field during the 2022 Toyota South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled National Championships, which Gauteng won.

“I contacted the Gauteng Sporting Association for the Physically Disabled and they put us in contact with Aubrey Mathibela, the manager of the Kwa-Thema Sports Club for the Physically Disabled,” said Jennie.

Jennie said what her son enjoys most about soccer is the adrenaline rush when he scores a goal and then celebrating with his teammates.

She said this year was the first time the championships were held since the start of the pandemic.

In 2020, the championships were cancelled, and in 2021, the number of entrants was restricted.

Jennie said during the past two years, Smith continued training and joined a football club towards the end of 2021.

“This was a challenge because of Jason’s disability, but I was referred to coach JB of Sporting Club Portugal Johannesburg. He welcomed Jason with open arms,” said Jennie.

“Because of the intense training and league matches strictly according to age, Sporting Club Portugal Johannesburg allows Jason to train only with soccer players a few years younger.”

Jennie said with the resumption of this year’s championship, it was amazing for Smith to be with his team members again and to compete against other provinces.

“What he enjoyed most about this year’s championships was being older, scoring the first goal for Gauteng and winning gold for his team.

“Being selected for the preliminary team is also huge, as this could be the start of international games and possibly the Paralympics.”

Looking to the future, Smith, who already has his Gauteng colours for soccer from the South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, aims to earn his full national colours.

He also hopes to be the striker for South African Disabled Soccer and would like to compete regularly against international teams.