The Sporting Chance team watched our ‘Bafana Boys’ become men at the opening match at Soccer City where ever sound of the vuvuzela gave you goose pumps of patriotism and pride. What a privilege to be there!
After that unforgettable opening weekend, our team then went our separate ways to take on the various regional co-ordinator duties for the Ticket Fund:
Gauteng (Johannesburg & Pretoria):
Sporting Chancer – Wonga Matshabane will be calling Johannesburg ‘home’ for the whole month of the World Cup and his time in the Golden City got off to a great start. When he arrived on Thursday 10th July he was loaned a fantastic soccer ball branded Kia Picanto from the Kia head office for the duration of his stay. Pimped out in true style, he even has all the stadium officials conned into believing he’s the ultimate VIP.
In the 10 days since ‘kick off’ Wonga and his helpers have attended and taken over 1000 Kia Street Soccer participants to the respective matches at Soccer City, Ellis Park and Pretoria Stadium:
The children and coaches from the Kia Street Soccer project in the outlying Johannesburg community of Orange Farm got to see the Dutch start their World Cup campaign against Denmark at the giant Calabash of Soccer City.
The Soweto and Tshepisong Kia Street Soccer participants were in for an equal treat as they witnessed the masters in action at Soccer City when Argentina defeated Korea Republic.
Across Johannesburg to Ellis Park, where the Alexandra Kia Street Soccer participants were fortunate to witness one of the best matches of the pool stage as USA and Slovenia played out to a 2-2 draw.
In Pretoria the Kia Street Soccer community of Shoshanguve got to be a part of a rear African team win as Ghana defeated Serbia at Pretoria Stadium.
I have joined Wonga in Joburg this week and in the days ahead the Kia Street Soccer communities of Riverlea and Atteridgeville will get their chance to ‘say I was there in 2010’ as they attend the respective matches.
Durban:
Us Sporting Chancers – Mark Khoabane and I headed off early last week to Durban hoping for the warm weather that all the World Cup advertising campaigns were promising for Durban.
We started off with a full house of 500 Kia Ticket Fund recipients as we took the Kia Street Soccer regions of Phoenix, Kwa Mashu and Inanda to the Spain vs. Switzerland match at the spectacular Moses Mabhida stadium. The surprise result kept the children and coaches enticed right to the last minute.
A few days later it was time for the Kia Street Soccer participants of Umlazi and Lamontville to have their turn. On a magnificent day in Durban we sat in perfect seats behind the goals in awe of the atmosphere and sights of this auspicious occasion. An excellent match, right from kick off with the masses of Orange fans leaving pleased as the Netherlands defeated Japan.
The Chatsworth Kia Street Soccer community will get their chance this week when Nigeria takes on Korea Republic on Tuesday.
Cape Town:
Sporting Chancer – Bradlyn Stuurman has been taking charge of the Kia Ticket Fund in Cape Town. Despite the cold and rainy conditions the Kia Street Soccer participants have certainly not been deterred and they have all relished the opportunity to be a part of this ‘once in a lifetime experience!’
The Kia Street Soccer community of Langa were privileged to be at Cape Town stadium as France took on Uruguay in the second match of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
The Nyanga children and coaches watched the defending champions in action when they started their campaign against Paraguay.
In a tournament that has produced few high scoring matches so far, it was an absolute treat for the Kia Stet Soccer participants of Khayelitsha, Manenberg and Mitchell’s Plain to see Portugal trounce Korea DPR in a 7-0 thriller.
The Kia Street Soccer communities of Gugulethu and Athlone eagerly await their opportunity to be a part of this historic occasion at the match later this week.
Overall:
If the past 10 days are anything to go bye we can already say the Kia Ticket Fund programme has been an incredible success. The over 1000 children and coaches in Gauteng, over 900 in Durban and over 700
in Cape Town have been overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the opportunity afforded to them.
To see the excitement on the children’s faces when you give them their ticket and snack pack is inspiring, and to watch their intrigue and absorption in each minute of the matches it what this experience is all about!
“I didn’t let myself believe we were going to go to the actual World Cup and then I got my Kia ticket pocket, snack pack and a real 2010 FIFA World Cup ticket and I realised it was happening. I had a seat behind the goals and I saw Torres. Wow, Thank you so much, I will remember this day forever!” – Majesty Chetty (Phoenix)
Despite the country taking a huge knock with the disappointment of Bafana Bafana’s performance last week, we together with the whole country will be proudly yellow and green as we stand behind our team for their last pool match.
We look forward to more upcoming adventures as we continue to roll out the Kia Ticket Fund…