Local soccer academy get international partnership
KwaThema - An Italian delegation has partnered with the Ayoba Yo Youth Soccer Academy to help in developing the sport.
This was announced last Wednesday after the international group visited the local team at their home ground, in Extension Two.
Also present at the festivities, were officials from the Gauteng and Ekurhuleni’s Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and MEC for Sport and Recreation Faith Mazibuko.
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“This delegation is from Reggeo Emilia, a city in Italy and they have been brought to South Africa by the government.
“The delegation kicked off their business in the country by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Ekurhuleni’s mayor Mzwandile Masina which speaks of exchange programmes in sports, development of it and creating opportunities for players from both Italy and South Africa.
“And since they also wanted a relationship with a football structure, they found us,” says an elated coach, Innocent Mayoyo.
He adds this partnership will mostly be about offering assistance to them with regards to the needs of the academy.
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“Being ready at all times and always doing things correctly has led us to this point.
“Hence we thank the City of Ekurhuleni and the Gauteng Department of Sport, who have chosen us as one of the underprivileged sports academy’s in soccer to benefit from this,” he says.
The players were also addressed by the visitors who further shared that the focus will currently only be on under 17 players.
“We have already been asked to submit a list of our requirements of the academy so for me this is where I am seeing that our perseverance is paying off after seven years of running the academy.
“Over the years we kept doing what is suppose to be done without any huge assistance, so this international partnership will give us hope and more motivation as an academy and the community,” he says.
Mayoyo is just waiting in anticipation, as he adds that it will be great to one day see the academy training facilities finally being improved.
“The promises that have been made to us will definitely make us work even harder.
“We are truly grateful for this opportunity and for the support from the parents, players and our supporters,” he says.
The academy is also inviting soccer players from the community born in 2006, 2007, 2008 to come and join them.
The team practises on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3.30pm at the Extension Two Legacy Field.
Contact Mayoyo on 084 729 1483.
