WATCH: Coach hopes to revive local sports to inspire youth
Katlehong Gardens All-Stars (KGA) anticipation for their first appearance in the Katlehong League Football Association (KLFA) has been prolonged due to lockdown.
The club qualified to compete in the league last year in both u-11 and u-13 divisions. Although the professional leagues have resumed, the local leagues remain paused.
KGA head coach and manager Mpho Dilebo said for him it’s not just about competing but to enable a good environment to raise respectful and disciplined children.
“My wish is to revive local sports and build unity among various communities in Katlehong. The reason why I started the soccer club in 2018 was to take children off the streets and because our community lacks sporting activities in various sporting codes,” he continued.
“I realised that children are inspired by wrong people who are either into smoking drugs or alcohol abuse,” said Dilebo.
He appealed to local coaches to unite and form a squad that can represent Katlehong in the development leagues. And then hopefully qualify for the professional soccer league or even for players to compete in the international leagues.
“This will give hope to the youth to continue playing and succeed in sport,” he added.
The club started to make a name for itself in the top eight Chairman’s Tournament hosted in Siluma in 2019 when they made it to the semi-finals. Goalkeeper Shaka Nkosi was awarded a medal for goalkeeper of the tournament.
Support structure
The Covane family from Katlehong Gardens sponsored the club with a kit, two soccer balls, a whistle and a stopwatch. The family also assisted the club with the registration fee for the league.
Xolani Cavane said they are very happy to contribute towards the club’s success.
“We wanted to give back to the community because in most cases you would find that a person is talented, but they lack resources. It is something small that we gave to instill some hope among the youngsters.
“My wish is to see these players elevated to the development leagues,” said Covane.
Dilebo said sportsmanship is not just about individual success and that parents have to work with coaches.
He encourages parents to support and participate in their children’s sport career.
“Parents need to know the training days and hours so that they can be able to pick-up the players after practise because some children do not go directly home after practise,” said Dilebo.
Challenges
The coach said as they are about to venture into the local league, they will need assistance with donations for soccer boots, transport when they play away games and food for the players.
“The players all come from different backgrounds. Some would either have a lunchbox or lunch money while others are left emptyhanded.
“It hurts for me as a coach to watch some players eat while others are without food. Children are children, even if you ask them to share they hardly listen.
“Our biggest challenge is sports facilities. We do not have a training field at the moment,” said Dilebo.
