Three young Tembisa soccer players attend elite training camp
The former Kaizer Chiefs jersey number 10 attacking midfielder launched the three-week mentorship and training camp for 30 u-19 boys
Three Tembisa youngsters are among a group of 30 soccer players selected to attend a training camp and mentorship programme until July 23.
A passion to harness and groom young men with sporting talents is the driving force behind the new soccer camp that seeks to mentor aspiring young athletes as they undergo football training.
Initiated through a partnership between the Community Development Foundation of South Africa (CODEFSA) and former football star, Siyabonga Nkosi’s SN10 Football Academy, the SN10 Training and Boy Child Mentorship programme is a camp targeting young footballers from different parts of the country.
According to Nkosi, there is a need for proper, holistic development of young footballers at the lowest level to keep up with the rest of the world.
“We groom our young players and educate them about all aspects that constitute a full-on football career. My experience in Europe taught that this is the only way we can elevate our level of football to international standards,” he said.
The former Kaizer Chiefs jersey number 10 attacking midfielder launched the three-week mentorship and training camp for 30 u-19 boys from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape on July 3.
Attendees are being trained by player-turned-coach Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi, who has designed the training programme. The boys have spent time with other soccer stars, including Bernard Parker of Kaizer Chiefs fame. Other guest visits from current and former footballers and coaches such as Orlando Pirates’ Thamsanqa Gabuza and Mpho Makola are also expected throughout the duration of the camp.
In addition, a boy child mentorship programme is presented, formulated by Codefsa and presented by its executive director, as well as different male mentors, such as Mbuyiselo Botha from Sonke Gender Justice.
The young boys are housed on a full-time basis at Inunge Lodge in Centurion.
Nkosi is determined to have the SN10 Football Academy be the most productive football school in Africa. He sees the academy fostering international relations and partnerships to allow the swift movement of players from the academy straight abroad.
“Sports has the ability to change many people’s lives, as well as those of their families because, through a sporting career, it can help them get out of poverty. Sports can also help to keep young people away from the dangers of possible engagements in social ills, including drugs, alcohol and crime,” Nkosi added.
