Soccer legend nurtures local amateur teams
“This is a social cohesion initiative that also seeks to keep children engaged, promote a drug-free society and contribute towards the reduction of alcohol abuse,” Lebo explained.
Legendary footballer and current national U/20 coach, Helman Mkhalele, has become even more popular for his visits to grassroots-level environments to nurture young footballers and coaches.
The former Orlando Pirates footballer was at it most recently and this time he visited Ward 97 and Plot 57 in Roodepoort where he was in dialogue with the management of various soccer teams in the area.
Under his Helman Mkhalele Sports Education for Purpose, he has committed to collaborating with the community in terms of a football development programme, according to Lebo Mofokane, the ANC deputy chairperson in Ward 97.
The programme includes free coaching clinics, team management workshops, mini soccer tournaments, and football talent scouting.
“This is a social cohesion initiative that also seeks to keep children engaged, promote a drug-free society and contribute towards the reduction of alcohol abuse,” Lebo explained.
“A boy child will also be mentored to be a better man for a better tomorrow, as part of the fight against gender-based violence,” he envisioned.
Mkhalele has also made a difference at local institutions such as Curro Wilgeheuwel last year when he facilitated a sports workshop with the coaches of the school. He has shared words of encouragement with Zandspruit outfit, Golden Drifters Football Club when it ventured into the SAB league in 2018.
According to Wikipedia, Mkhalele played for Bafana Bafana, earning 66 caps and scoring eight goals in the process, and was part of the squad that travelled to France for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He was also part of the Bafana squad that lifted the 1996 African Cup of Nations, among many achievements during his glory days.
