Spartan FC nurtures the talent of young players in Cosmo City

Spartan FC is a club of hope which combines football, academic and social skills to nurture the talent and social development of young people.

The club currently plays in the newly formed Cosmo City’s Senior Soccer League on Sundays and competes in different tournaments on Saturdays throughout Gauteng. The club was formed in Kya Sands informal settlement in 2012 as Mighty Killers but was relaunched in 2014 when co-founder Whiskey Ngobeni moved to Cosmo City.

The club is registered with the Rand Central Local Football Association and recruits players from different areas including Diepsloot and Kya Sands.

Last year, Ngobeni and the club chairperson Howard Molepe decided to incorporate U13 and U14 divisions and this year they are expecting to launch an U11 division.

“The main idea here is to take the kids off the street,” said Molepe. “This is to ensure that they are not exposed to the ills of society. This is a platform to help them know that as talented players, they could get opportunities to turn professional.” He added that they also used the club as a medium to teach young people life skills and to help them with their academic work after school.

Funding is the main stumbling block for this club. It currently does not have a training ground and players practise in an open field. Some players do not have soccer boots and the club owners pay for the players’ transport.

“We will accept any assistance since we need training cones, balls, track suits and other soccer equipment,” said Ngobeni.

There are currently 30 senior players and about 45 development players registered at the club.

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Details: Whiskey Ngobeni; 072 362 1261, Howard Molepe; 076 224 8050 or 073 086 7740.