Local indoor soccer team boosted by sponsorship
The team is part of a league that allows them to play a match every Thursday between 7pm and 9.30pm.
A local indoor soccer team, the East Rand Young Boys, recently received a kit sponsorship from real estate company Century 21.
The team is part of a league that allows them to play a match every Thursday between 7pm and 9.30pm.
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“They are a mixed race team and all come from poor backgrounds, so to get R50 a week to pay for their games you must know is difficult for them,” said Kim Marx, mother to Alex Chetty (goalkeeper), Tyron Meadon (player) and adopted son Tamuka Nkosi (player).
“Tamuka, who is Alex’s best friend, lives with us following the death of his mother and his father being unable to care for him,” Kim explained.
“He has been with us for two years and is my adopted son. I am very protective of my three children.
“I also have all these boys from the team in my house on a Thursday and they all call me mom.”
The team meets at Kim’s house as early as 8am, even though their game only starts in the late evening because they get dropped off by transport.
This team of mostly 16-year-old learners from Benoni High School was formed last year.
They went from being at the bottom of the league placed at 31 to being third now.
“These young men save their pocket money to be able to pay R50 a week to participate in a game they love,” said Kim.
“Their passion and dedication are unbelievable. They have played against all ages and are absolute heroes, win or lose. Their sportsmanship shines through with every match they play.
“The respect and support for each other as well as the teams they play against show they are true sportsmen. The encouragement that they give one other to build up momentum is so mature, nothing can stop them.
“We could certainly learn something from each and every one of them.” Their struggle to find a company to sponsor their kit ended when Century 21 East Rand made the offer and sponsored the players with shirts.
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“The mom of one of the players, Flavio da Silva, works at the company and was instrumental in organising the sponsorship. Many thanks to Fatima,” said Kim.
The company said it is excited to be a part of the East Rand Young Boys’ journey to the top.
“The sponsorship has been such a boost for the boys and spurs them on to becoming number one in their league,” said Kim.
