Aston Villa’s kind gesture boosts soccer
Scara Ngobese Memorial Games tournament winners, namely Aston Villa FC, donated two sets of soccer kits to Abram Hlophe Primary School in Katlehong on March 2.
The Katlehong-based team won the first prize of R80 000 during the tournament in December last year and had to donate 10 per cent of the amount to an organisation of their choice.
Jukes “Mourinho” Seola, the team coach, explained why they chose the school. “One of the most active players Tshepo “Skhwama” Matete, who plays for Baroka FC in the PSL, participated in the tournament and he was a learner at the school. Besides him, the school has produced a high number of players who are playing in the tournament every year,” said Seola.
He said they want to continue to develop football in the township. “The development starts at this age,” he said while pointing at young players at the school.
“That is why we chose to give back to the primary school,” explained the coach who has won many tournaments as the Aston Villa coach.
In addition, Seola said it has been their dream to give back to the community of Katlehong. “Thanks to Scara Ngobese Memorial Games for fulfilling our dream,” he said.
He thanked Arlito Mamba, the team chairman, and Mokete Motitoe, the team manager, for running the team and making it one of the best in the entire Kathorus area.
According to the secretary of Emmanuel Scara Ngobese Trust, Sebenzile Ngobese, who is a sister to Scara Ngobese, the legacy of his brother will never die.
“Scara has always wanted to start an academy but, unfortunately, he died before he saw that dream come true. Fortunately, we have a tournament named after him that produces a lot of talented players who are now playing for professional teams. So his work is continuing,” said Sebenzile.
She concluded by saying they were excited as the family to be part of the prestigious event at the school.
Kashif Oliphant, the school principal, was excited on behalf of the learners and the school stated that it did not have soccer kits at school. “We were supposed to ask for donations from different companies so that we could have soccer kits,” said Oliphant.
He said the donation from Aston Villa FC meant a lot. “This will boost our learners’ confidence as they are now going to play football wearing proper soccer kits,” said Oliphant.
