Local initiative gives back to the community for sport development

Gear-Up Ikasi, a 10Bet initiative donated a football and netball kit to Ivory Development Academy on June 26 in Orlando East.

This is meant to help the local sports club with essential playing and training equipment.

Mbongeni Zondo, the chairman and coach of Ivory Development Academy spoke about the challenges he faces everyday working with children in the community.

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“The first thing that I always do is check if every child is fit and okay to participate in the field because these children come from different backgrounds and they carry different emotions.

“Some end up not paying attention to what the coach has to say and sometimes end up hurting other team members,” Zondo said.

He describes coaching as more of a calling than a skill acquired from school and he wishes that one day his soccer team can travel overseas to participate in big tournaments.

“I want this team to play for bigger and professional leagues and we are almost there because currently, we are playing in the Soweto Premier League. We are in position two and we are now fighting for promotion,” said Zondo.

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“I would also love to see the team moving forward and produce professionals that will play for bigger soccer clubs in South Africa and abroad.”

Coach Zondo also spoke about the mandatory policy that his players follow which is to push academically and become educated individuals because a professional player has a short career.

Silindile Khumbane is one of the netball players at Ivory Development Academy.

She has been with the team for years and she spoke on how that has kept her off the streets and helped with her physical well-being because of the training.

“When I joined the team, I didn’t know anything about netball. I had to take time to learn and now I am good with this sport. It has played a huge role in helping me to not galavant in the streets on my free time,” Khumbane said.

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10Bet works with all sports clubs around Gauteng and any team that needs a kit can send them a video on their Facebook page and a motivation as to why they should be given a kit. Winners are selected randomly at the end of each month.

Andile Ncube from SABC Sports and 10Bet expressed his gratitude towards the community and the parents of the children who are part of the academy for their support.