Former Bafana Bafana and Jomo Cosmos Football Club, defender Andrew Rabutla recently launched a soccer academy in Polokwane with the expressed aim of nurturing and developing the immense football talent in the province.
The academy will accommodate aspiring u.15, 17 and 19 players.
Rabutla, 47, who retired in 2006 said the academy will give the hopeful soccer players in the province a platform to showcase their talent. “This is part of me giving back to the community and reaching out to all aspirant football players in the province. I was born at Ramotshikanyake village in the Tzaneen area. We did not have a lot of opportunities and platforms to showcase our talent. I hope and believe that the academy will enable the young players to achieve all their dreams and reach their full potential,” he said.
At the time of going to press 17 players had already and the academy hopes to increase the numbers in the next few months.
“Our target for this year is to have 60 players in the academy. We will be teaching them football basics, social responsibility and they will be given a chance to train with some of the professional teams in the country. I will be heading the coaching department and I am looking forward to impart my football knowledge and produce a national player,” Rabutla said.
Story: Herbert Rachuene
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