On 19 April, Orlando Pirates Football Club celebrated its 80th birthday with players taking time off from training to spend the afternoon with children from Alexandra.
This was the third annual Orlando Pirates Soccer Development Programme in partnership with Spur Sports and Adidas.
The event started with the presentation of brand new Adidas kits to four primary schools, Iphutheng, Ikage, Zenzeleni and Bovet. Adidas sports manager, Bob Maphosa and Orlando Pirates assistant coach, Benson Mhlongo did the handing over of the new kits to the coaches and captains of the different schools.
“This is a very important and very special thing we are doing here,” said Maphosa. “Adidas, Spur and Orlando Pirates, we are all playing a part in shaping our future soccer stars.”
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Orlando Pirates head coach, Kjell Jonevret, also had a chance to say a few words to the staff, the media and children in attendance. “I am not from Alex, if you haven’t figured that one out yet,” he joked. “I am from Sweden. I am very happy to be taking part in this initiative with Orlando Pirates and Adidas. I think it is important to invest in the kids from an early age so they get the opportunity to gradually become the best versions of themselves as they grow up.”
After the kits had been handed out, the children got the chance to take part in mini soccer clinics which were run by their Pirates footballing heroes. “This is really going to inspire these kids. It is not every day you get to interact with your role models in person like this. My team is very happy with today. What Adidas and Orlando Pirates are doing is very good for the community,” said Lota Kekane, Iphutheng teacher and soccer coach.
After the clinics, the four school teams played against each other in their brand new kits. The teams were coached by some of the Pirates stars such as Oupa Manyisa and Thabo Rakhale.
