10 Nov 2023

Africa Must Arise Initiative (AMAI), will hold Soweto Derby Football Experience to raise funds for boys and girls who could potentially secure contracts to play football in Spain.

The initiative aimed to grow youth talent in Botswana will take place at Cresta Hotel on Saturday.

AMAI founding Director Tumisang Keitseng said this during a media briefing on Wednesday.

Keitseng said they believed that the amusing event will gather football lovers to watch South African Dstv Premieship giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at a prize. Proceeds will help out-of-school youth to showcase their skills and excel in football.

She said their team was ready for scouting experts and sports educators to screen and recommend for contractual work.

So far, they were training more than 125 young boys and girls who were awaiting the opportunity to sign up with seven teams in Spain, some in Laliga.

She said according to the FC Barcelona head coach teacher at La Masia, Marcal Sevillano, second division teams would afford the young boys the opportunities to train.

Keitseng said coach Jojo Gabashe was working hard to train team AMAI at The Fields mall every Sunday for free.

“The youth are excited over this unbelievable chance to appear before a team of expert soccer coaches and trainers from their Spanish league,” she said

Keitseng also mentioned that they were proud of these young ones who have proved their resilience to intense training, guidance and motivation.

“We no longer consider out-of-school youth as out of place, truly and ready to do mischief because these have shown us how much energy lay wasted, talent is hidden and idling when it should be turned around into productive service and goods society demanded,” she said.

Also, she said already 56 boys had found sponsors from compassionate individuals, institutions and organisations such as High Commissioner of South Africa, Thaninga Soumah, Bokomo, CA Sales and Distribution, Lactalis, Botswana, Lady M football academy and PST Chemicals.

She said these young boys and girls were mostly from the outskirts of Gaborone, such as Mogoditshane and Molepolole and in Old Naledi and Bontleng within Gaborone.

Shedding more light about the Saturday Soweto Derby event, she said people must expect fun where they will watch football in a big screen.

She said they will be coming dressed in their favourite football jersey, and will also chill with their soccer legends.

There will also be FIFA PlayStation games, pool, snooker and darts.

Sports lovers will also be treated to a braii and barbeque meals as well as have the opportunity to have a spa day courtesy of Beauty Spark amongst many activities that will be taking place. ENDS