With only 87 days remaining before the 2010 FIFA World CupTM kicks off, a feast of soccer at grassroots level is about to commence in four major cities around South Africa.
The KIA STREET SOCCER project brought to you by Sporting Chance in association with Foodzone, will facilitate over 3 000 underprivileged children from impoverished areas. The initiative will kick off on Friday 9th April and will be played over seven weeks providing an opportunity for children in the community to participate in both the street soccer league as well as an accompanying ‘Health and Educational Program.’
The City of Ethekwini will be one of four areas where the flurry of soccer will be played and will see local PSL team AmaZulu partnering up with KIA STREET SOCCER. This will be invaluable to the children in the program and all youngsters will have the opportunity to meet and interact with their PSL hero’s who will attend the weekly Street Soccer sessions. In addition to youth development, any talented youngster who is identified by any of the respective PSL coaching staff, will be invited to the PSL’s youth academy. Furthermore, a high standard of coaching will be ensured in the program as respective PSL coaching staff will, prior to the start of Street Soccer, coach the respective “coaches” from each region.
Brad Bing, Managing Director of Sporting Chance was extremely excited with AmaZulu Football Club’s commitment in the project.
“To have a talented and profiled team of this stature involved in the KIA STREET SOCCER project is invaluable to all involved,” said Bing. “Not only do children benefit with the expertise of these professional soccer players, but the PSL team themselves will be given the opportunity to identify talent which could be nurtured in their system to possibly represent Bafana Bafana in the future.”
Meahnwhile General Manager of Amazulu, Peter O’Connor was very excited about the involvement of the AmaZulu club.
“AmaZulu are delighted to be involved in the grassroots community. It is a privilege for the club to be associated with the KIA Street Soccer Project and we wish all the players and coaches a fun-filled tournament,” said General Manager of AmaZulu, Peter O’Connor.
In addition to the KIA STREET SOCCER project, 4 000 tickets will be awarded to the children that participate in both the Street Soccer project and ‘Health of the Nation’ sessions, to attend one of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM matches as part of the FIFA Ticket Fund Program.