FORMER professional footballer Scelo Zuma is passionate about passing on his love of the game and the sport’s skills, which he says teach life lessons beyond the pitch.
Zuma believes that soccer ‘builds and develops better human beings’. The footballer is the director of Isicelo Sports Skills, which trains young, aspirant players twice a week at Ashley Sports Club in Russel Street, Pinetown.
The registered NPO caters for children from Caversham, Pinetown Central, New Germany, Mariannhill Park, KwaMashu, KwaNdengezi, Molweni and Hillcrest. Some of the Isicelo Sports Skills players earn scholarships to Highway schools. Founded by Zuma in 2016, the goal of the NPO is ‘to develop and nurture football talent in children, both boys and girls’.
Zuma, who played for African Wanderers, Moroka Swallows, and internationally in Asia for the Hong Kong Rangers, first touched a soccer ball at the age of six.
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“I started playing when I was six, in the dusty streets of the farms in Nottingham Road. I became a professional player at the age of 18, when I played for African Wanderers. I was a Thando Royal Zulu player in 2008, Moroka Swallows player between 2010 and 2012, and then I went to Asia and played for the Hong Kong Rangers. It was hard as I couldn’t speak the language. It’s not easy being in a new land,” says Zuma.
The football academy recently took some of their talented footballers to the Cape, to participate in the Kaapstadt Cup, a competition where 1 700 players from around the country, between the ages of seven and 20, participated.
“We played games successfully. I want to make sure the players know that football can take you far, as well as teaching life skills in between. Playing soccer teaches children to co-operate with others, to work together and to communicate to achieve a particular goal. It develops perseverance, to not give up no matter how challenging the game or situation is. They learn to trust each other and know that they can rely on their teammates to do their part to succeed,” says Zuma.
The NPO is set to host the sixth edition of the Pinetown Super Cup at the UKZN Edgewood Campus from December 16 to 19.
Zuma says his motivation to pass on his love of soccer is to make children happy.
“Soccer is a beautiful game, and it provides a platform that can change lives through sport. It teaches discipline, and our players know that school is important, and they should strive beyond school to achieve their goals. My passion is teaching the kids soccer, making sure they strive to become the best,” says Zuma.
