It’s such a pleasure being able to watch the KIA Street soccer unfold and mature into its different stages. It wasn’t so long ago that we were busy with the planning for this project, running educational workshops and training the coaches who have now become an integral part of the initiative. Today we are just a month away from the regional finals. All the participants from the five main regions namely: WESTERN CAPE, KZN, EASTERN CAPE, GAUTENG AND FREE STATE are now competing in what’s left of the league matches and fighting to win their regional league and a spot in the provincial finals.
This national project has reached so many corners of South Africa and communities have welcomed it as they incorporate it into their daily culture. It’s become such a hit with parents and children alike and the communities are definitely acknowledging the impact it’s making. Not only do children get the chance to be active and learn some crucial skills, they are also exposed to all the valuable life lessons that sport fosters.
Once the round robin matches are completed in the various regions, we will then move on to the regional finals, which will be followed by the provincial finals and then the five provincial champions will travel to Gauteng to face off in the national final spectacular.
The school holidays come to a close this week and next week our future soccer stars will be back on the streets of their communities kicking it out for a spot in the grand finale. They have had time to recuperate and brush up on their skills and we’ll certainly be able to witness which teams have put in those crucial extra practices when the league matches officially resume!
It’s been an eventful five months and seemingly the people who have gained something from this experience are not just the children participating in KIA Street Soccer on our local roads, but rather all who associated with the programme. We look forward to witnessing and creating more touching moments as we enter the ‘business end’ of KIA Street Soccer 2013.
Continuous thanks and gratitude to our sponsors – title sponsor KIA; technical sponsor Mille; Logistical partner Dawn Wing; associate sponsors Kruger Bets CSI; Media partners Super Sport Let’s Play, Good Hope fm and Ukhozi fm; and PSL partners Ajax Cape Town and Amazulu for playing an instrumental role in supporting the initiative in their respective capacities. It is through their kind generosity and willingness to support that lives are being touched and changed by this magnificent sports programme.
