One of the core elements of the KIA Street Soccer programme was the talent identification process, which was implemented from the onset right up until the finals which took place in September. With a strong focus on the fun and community building aspect of the programme, it was also equally as important to provide those with an obvious soccer promise, with a higher platform where they could showcase their talent.
22 top-performing youngsters from the Western Cape who were identified during the course of KIA Street Soccer 2013 were treated to the ‘Ajax Experience’ this past weekend. A special opportunity for all involved as they spent the day at the home of Ajax Cape Town, the Cape Town-based PSL team, as part of the talent identification process.
The day kicked off with an action-packed training session with the Ajax Community Coaches, with all participants fully kitted out in playing kits provided by Ajax Cape Town. The players were put through their paces with various innovative drills and revelled in the opportunity to train on the first team pitch, where many of their heroes practice daily.
After a challenging training session, the group were given an in depth tour of Ikamva – the home of Ajax Cape Town by Riyaad Khan, the AJAX Community Coach, who spearheaded AJAX’s involvement in the KIA Street Soccer. It was fascinating for all involved to see and walk in the footsteps of their PSL icons through the first team changing room, gym and kit room. Thereafter there was a quiz and a barrage of questions, which Riyaad answered giving the aspiring players crucial advice on what it takes to make it to the top, and how important a healthy lifestyle is, which reiterates the objectives of the KIA Street Soccer life skills programme.
The time at IKamva proved to be both exciting and exhilarating, as both the hosts and attendees regarded this experience as an integral part of a promise that was made to the KIA Street Soccer participants at the start of the 2013 campaign. Riyaad exclaimed how impressed he was with the passion and skill displayed by the eager youngsters.
After a fantastic afternoon, there was still more to come, as the group was transported to the Cape Town stadium for the PSL match between Ajax Cape Town and Moroka Swallows. At the stadium the children got their very own change room, where they were briefed on their roles and responsibilities and given an Ajax Cape Town home and away kit to wear. The nerves then started to kick in as they heard the PSL teams singing their motivational songs down the corridor, they decided to do the same and sing their own preparation song, what better than the SA National anthem – a real goose bump moment.
It was time… as the vuvuzela’s blasted and the crowd cheered, 22 of KIA Street Soccer’s most talented players walked onto the hallowed pitch as player escorts, hand in hand with their PSL heroes and taking with them memories that will last a lifetime.
The children described the experience as monumental and felt like they had been made aware of the possibilities of pursuing soccer professionally, and also came to understand the amount of hard work required to make their dreams a reality.
Sporting Chance sincerely thanks Ajax Cape Town for this educational and inspiring initiative experienced by the participants of the KIA Street Soccer programme. Riyaad Khan was phenomenal in motivating these children and invigorating their passion and dreams of becoming successful sportsmen.
