Soccer welcomed back in rural areas

Football Without Borders (FWB) has started off the year with a bang, hosting its annual Back To School Tournament in the Kromdraai rural community on Saturday, January 29.

Community soccer and netball clubs, making up a total of 200 players from Kromdraai, Tarlton, Thembalethu and Muldersdrift packed the fields for a day of sport.

In the end, Kromdraai Young Stars won the U/15 netball division; Kromdraai Football Club won in the Soccer Boys U/15; and Tarlton Supreme Ladies Football Clubs won in the Ladies Soccer division.

Michael Mapfunde, FWB Director said, “We thank Patricia Tshifularo from the Krugersdorp Police who assisted with logistics; Councillor Zillah Maguire who sourced 200 school bags and drinking bottles; the Gauteng Department of Sports and Recreation for providing sports equipment such as balls and medals that were used as prizes; and the Mogale Sports Department. I would like to give a huge thanks to my Project Coordinator Tenda Mabirimisa for coordinating the event.”

He also explained that this event was part of their efforts to adhere to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Four to promote inclusiveness in education.

Going forward, Michael noted, “The ‘Girls Can’t Wait’ programme we’re hosting this year involves girls getting information and education on menstruation, hygiene management through workshops, participating in monthly football and netball tournaments, and receiving sanitary pads. Secondly we are looking to hold monthly workshops to educate boys from Kromdraai and other communities on gender-based violence, and how to become men and respect women.”