Josephs honoured to be giving back
JOBURG - Campaign ambassador of the Kia Champ into the Arena Tournament gives back to the game that has done so much for him.
Moeneeb Josephs the campaign ambassador of the Kia Champ into the Arena 5-a-side soccer tournament said it was an honour for him to have the opportunity to give back to the game that has done so much for him.
In conjunction with its global partnership with world soccer governing body, Fifa, KIA Motors South Africa launched the fifth instalment of its exciting annual Kia Champ at the Discovery Soccer Park recently.
Every four years, Kia distributors from all over the world host this exciting soccer tournament in their respective markets in search of the best amateur football team.
The Bidvest Wits goalkeeper, who has been named as the ambassador of the tournament together with Orlando Pirates skipper Oupa Manyisa, said it would help in boosting the development of football in the country.
Josephs said, “It’s unbelievable the initiative Kia has taken to help aid our football futsal [5-a-side soccer] players and our national team. It is a great drive for the development of football,” he said.
In the tournament, the winning team from each country moves on to the Kia Champ into the Arena World Finals, where they get the opportunity to compete against the winning sides from other participating countries for the ultimate glory of being crowned global champions.
The night-time regional tournaments will consist of two tournaments per region with 16 teams competing per day for a place in the national final. Key tournament dates are 29 and 30 April at Discovery Soccer Park (Wanderers Club, Illovo) in Johannesburg; 13 and 14 May at Montague Action Indoor Arena (Montague Gardens) in Cape Town; and 20 and 21 May at Stella Action Soccer Arena (Glenwood) in Durban.
The national finals will be held at Discovery Soccer Park on 28 May.
Josephs said it was vital to use such initiatives to help build the country’s national football teams and help young players.
Having played at the highest level for almost 18 seasons now, the Wits shot-stopper said his love and passion for the game had been the key.
“You need to have passion for this game, the hunger and the drive – that’s the only thing that will keep you going,” said Slam Kat, as he is affectionately known.
Josephs added that he would always be grateful to the game as it had taken him to places he never thought he would get to. “This game has done wonders for me in my life and my career. It took me from Mitchell’s Plain to where I am today,” he said.
The Kia Champ into the Arena national winning team will be coached by Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt leading up to the global finals.
