By TINY LEKABE

GOO MOKGATLHA VILLAGE in Koffiekraal, North West Province soccer is alive and entertaining the local community with the sport. This is a quiet village with its struggles but those daily struggles encourage Abram “Benson” Tlhatlhedi to plant seeds of hope in youngsters by starting a soccer club in 2010 known as Shooting Stars FC.

In an interview with Pako News the middle age owner and coach Benson said he was exposed to soccer at a young age which is why he started the soccer team.

“I was allowed to showcase my soccer skills as a teenager, things are not easy but we are driven by the spirit of hope to push and pull toward our success which is to compete in PSL one day. There is a need to allow these young guys to showcase their soccer talent and skills at a young age because it encourages them to live healthy lifestyles and motivates them.

“The club is based in Koffiekraal, Selocha section, where we practice and host our games. The age group of our soccer players start from 13 year old to 19 year old, we also have junior and senior teams. We do compete in local soccer tournaments such as the Thoma Mahlope Tournament, one in Vreede for Kabelo Sibiya and so on but for now, we participate in MOKOLFA meaning (Moses Kotane Local Football Association). In the tournament, we were in the top 8 and we won 4 and lost 4, on our local leaguer we played 14 games won 7, drawer 2 and lost 5,” said Benson.

He said the vision of the club is that all these young players should go out and play in big leagues; they are striving to model these young boys to represent our nation one day. Benson said one thing with soccer is that you’re taught to face your opponent and win the ball; this is where one learns to face the challenges of life and be a victor.

“Soccer empower soccer player to make good decisions, weigh options and take measurable risk so we shouldn’t be worried about failing because we are still in the game. All members of the club are community members, we are one family. Soccer is not just an activity to keep us from drugs and alcohol and other troubles but also contribute to shaping people's career even at school. We pride ourselves on the quality players we produce from our junior soccer club who earn promotion to senior club through their practical performance.

“We encourage them to be helpful starting from their families, help parents and granny with thinks like fetching water, fire woods, washing dishes, washing clothes, cleaning their rooms and houses and be part of other progressive community structures as part of building feature leader from our community to lead our country. These small home base activities help in shaping human being personal characters and one get to understand how to deal with situations in a different environment,” added Benson.

They need serious help from those who can, Shooting Stars FC, they are struggling with club uniform, balls, tracksuits, soccer boots, poles at the ground, net, first aids kids and transport to travel as we are invited to play in the different tournament across the municipality and outside our Bojanala region. Those who are interested in helping the club can call 0834706638.   

By PAKO SPORT REPORTER

THE EASTER HOLIDAY’S was full of community activities, believe it or not veteran soccer star Fabien McCarthy and Joseph Makhanya aka Dukuduku blessed Pitsedisulejang Soccer Tournament organized by the  Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and organized by (TG)Omphile Maotwe. First cash price of tournament was R5000, trophy and 20 Gold Medals won by Fear Fokol Team from Pitsedisulejane. Second cash price of R3000, trophy and 20 silver Medals, Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament cash price was R1000 and trophy. Goalkeeper, Middlefield, Defender and Player of tournament went away with R1000 and trophy each. 

The power of soccer attract investment from all walk of life, South African Department of Tourism is striving to invest in soccer team elsewhere while local political party sow a need to invest in  rural community soccer tournaments. Giving hope to the hopeless in time of needs, there is a need to push and address real indigenous people’s social and economic agenda. Let’s be practical we are outside parliamentary debates now. Soccer club invited to participate include Dinoko FC from De Brak, Junior United FC of Katnagel, Vultures FC of Katnagel, Bokamoso FC of Khayakulu, Milan FC of Letlhakeng, Thakadu FC of Letlhakeng, Montsana Chiefs FC of Montsana, Fear Fokol FC ,Clever Boys FC , Basebo FC, Dragon Warriors FC  all from Pitsedisulejang. Arsenal FC, #Tag FC, Yoki Young Stars FC and Chakuma FC all from Ramokolela , Marumo FC , Western FC and Morocco FC from Ramotlhajwe, Sesobe FC and Galaxy FC from Sesobe.

The tournament started on Wednesday, 5 April 2023 with official launch and draw of fixtures. Friday 7 April 2023 was official opening of tournament which ended Sunday 9 April 2023. This tournament was held in Pitsedisulejang village ward 2 of Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Bojanala District municipality of the North West Province. 20 (twenty) under 19 boys teams from 10 villages were invited and took advantage of this opportunity.

Among guest were organizer herself EFF (Treasure General - TG),Eddie Pienaar who is the founder of Rustenburg Athletico, the former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns player Fabian McCarthy. In an interview Omphile Maotwe said, “The EFF initiated this tournament and invited local soccer teams to participate as part of one of their programs to engage with community through sport. The EFF does not own or sponsor any soccer team; we just provided the platform for the teams to play. The tournament is an EFF tournament and therefore promoting and campaigning for the EFF.

“The objective was to take the kids away from the streets because they end up drinking, smoking cigarettes and dagga at an early age which end up creating a bad society for our community. If these kids are left in the streets, they end up dropping out of school and doing criminal activities. The teams didn’t contribute anything to the tournament except making available the boys to play. About 400 players and soccer officials took part in this tournament.

 The players and team officials received breakfast every morning lunch every day, water and a fruit every afternoon. Maotwe said more than 50 job opportunities were created, 20 for young women’s and 10 for male youth were given opportunity in catering services to serve supporters. A cow slaughtered and on Thursday groceries 400 players were catered for with 3 meals daily.

First cash price of tournament was R5000, trophy and 20 gold medals, second cash price of R3000, trophy and 20 silver medals, Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament cash price was R1000 and trophy. Goalkeeper, Middlefield, Defender and Player of tournament went away with R1000 and trophy each. 

By SPORT REPORTER 

RAYMOND MOLETE AKA Raizer grew up in Pella in the North West and his family move to Naledi, Soweto where his passion for boxing started. In Soweto, he joined Naledi Extension Boxing Club under Coach Philip Segoto and Eugino Khanyile. His dream is to open the first boxing academy in Pella, to keep youngsters away from crime and substance abuse.

This boxing academy also grooms international boxers such as Dingane Thobela aka The rose of Soweto, Stenly Sono, Sherpstone Thabane and others he was inspired to see Dingane Thobela’success so he told him that he want to follow his footsteps in boxing.

“This boxing academy also grooms international boxers such as Dingane Thobela aka the rose of Soweto, Stenly Sono, Sherpstone Thabane and others so I was inspired to see Dingane Thobela’success so I told myself that I want to follow his footsteps in boxing. I had to work hard and my parents encouraged me as it was.  An alternative strategy of keeping children away from the street where we can be exposed to alcohol and drugs.

“Boxing tough me different life lessons such as discipline, to be content, patience and focus as we are faced with different challenges in life every day. I was not in boxing for street fights and self-defence but it was a career sport for my future success. It also helps with self-defence skills on the street as those days we had our tough and rough realities, my chance and opportunity to compete come and I made my club proud when I compete in Amateur League.

“Winning my amateur competition was helpful as it reduces chances of being bullied by Soweto tsotsis as they assume that I will take them by my technical knockouts. My armature competitions gave me names and trophies. My family relocated to Pella where I also compete and won in the Bophuthatswana School Boxing Competitions while schooling at Pella Morare High School. In won all tournaments in the Bophuthatswana School Boxing Competition,” said Raymond.

Raymond added that winning his amateur competition promoted him and started competing in the international games. In 1992 while I was still training with the Soweto Boxing Academy I was exposed to the South African Defense Force and recruited to join them by their SADF coach.

“In 1985 I got an opportunity to fight with Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba and won the fight which was held at Soweto AmphiTheater. I was selected to fight – compete in Transvaal Championship after winning one will go to join South African National Boxing Organization in Cape Town. 

Joining the South African Defense Force my first international fight was in 1994, it was in Gaborone Botswana where I won Gold Medal. In 1998 due to medical fitness, I didn’t qualify for the German competition. I am retired from South African National Defense Force but not retired in boxing, I am planning to open Ray Maraizer Boxing Academy in Pella under Arone Molete Foundation who is my grandfather and struggle hero. We have potential young sportspeople around my challenge is how to get resources and put us in the working structure. For any help please contact Raymond Molete at 0797350875.

By TUMELO MOTSHEGARE

IN 1986 SENSEI Saul Motshwaedi of Tlokweng in Silverkrans established Rekakgona Art Academy which includes a Karate club, Spartans football club, book club, art club and safe house for vulnerable kids. The Karate club is Silverkrans Karate Academy affiliated with the South African Shotokan Karate Association (SASKA) in 1993, at present moment club has 50 students and trainees which includes kids as young as 6 years old. These are mostly kids from disadvantaged families who survive only with social welfare grants.

In an exclusive interview with Pako Community News the chief instructor with fourth dan black belt, Sensei Saul Motshwaedi said he spent over 30 years in karate and is not ready to retire soon from martial art because the sport is in his blood he can no longer live without it.

“I am not ready to retire soon after being in this sport for more than three decades; I am working at Impala Platinum Mine and also a Pastor who believes in the values of Botho.  In Karate I won 4 black belts in competition for this reason I am called a champion of my own rights. I am active in karate as a sport and my interest is sharing skills and empowering young people because it promotes a healthy lifestyle, I enjoy competition and travelling.

In 2009 I attended a seminar in Romania with Dr Osualdo Messias de Oliverira (President of World Union Karate Federation (WUKF) and Confederation Brasileira Karate (CBK),” said Motshwaedi.

Motshwaedi said he is assisted by Sensei Edwin Kgaswane who started the journey in 1994 with a first dan black belt received in 1997 and Sensei Adolph Mosekwane who started his journey in martial art in 1988 he also has a first dan black belt.

“My youngest student is our 6-year-old girl child Orateng Kgasoane scholar at Bogatsu primary School she joined us at age of 4 years. We also have a 7-year boy Oreratile Kgaswane scholar at Thakadu primary school, he has an orange belt and he hold 2 SA National Championship gold medals last year.

“Our vision is to change our world through one act of kindness and to become a leading Karate organization that is distinguished and respected for the successful and resourceful management of its affairs in a transparent and lawful manner. We have a great team to achieve our goals, team members like Mme Ikgopoleng Lydia Kgaswane who is our treasure, our administrator Mme Tshegofatso Kgaswane, Mme Degracia Lesejane as our deputy secretary and educator Rre Oratile Milton Motlogelwa,” added Motshwaedi.

In the next coming 5 years, we want to have at least 200 affiliates at Rekakgona Art Academy, we want to acquire funds to build our own centre where we will be able to produce champions who will have the opportunity to compete in South African karate championship and world championship stage to flag our national flag high. 

By PAKO SPORTS REPORTER

PELLA CROCODILE HAS BOTH a Football and netball club, it was founded in 1950 by an unknown person in the village. This oldest team is based in Pella in the North West. According to team coach Andrew Rakuba well known as Druza, their team is one of the oldest teams in the area. The team is in position number 4 at the Bojanala SAB League with 12 games that are 9 wins and 3 losses.

“This is the oldest soccer team in the North West it was founded around 1950 by an unknown man because those years records were not kept but elders in the village have confirmed it was founded in that year.

“It is 73 years old; we have hoped that it will reach 100 years because it is the first soccer team in our village. It has groomed many soccer players around the area and we believe that it will still be available in the next decades,” said Rakuba.

He said the team has no owner it belongs to the community but it has people managing it to keep running.

“We have more than 50 team members and the team has local and external fans from other villages such as Madikwe, Tlokweng, and Letlhakane. Our team has no sponsor the management of the club is funding it from their own pockets to make sure they have transport, food, match fee, soccer kits, soccer balls and other things that keep the team alive.

“We practice from Monday to Friday to keep our players fit and ready for the games, our aim is to be promoted to ABC Motsepe League and we are working hard to reach our goal. Our dream like any other team is to play in the national league with big teams like Orlando Pirate, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and others to represent our province. We aim to produce players who will one day play in the national squad Bafana Bafana to fly the South African flag high”, concluded Rakuba.

By PAKO SPORTS REPORTER

ABOUT A DECADE ago Benjamin Phiri of Raleoto Section in Tlokweng in the North West province founded Tlokweng Arsenal Foot Club to keep the youngsters away from the streets, they chose Kgosibodiba football ground as a home ground.

In an interview with Pako Community News Sports, Phiri said it was not easy when he started the team with a small number of players now the team has grown twice to 30 players.

“We have played lots of games because we are not playing in a league our wins, loose and draws are not documented but our rivals know that we mean business when coming to football. We play in local football tournaments, friendly games and play betting games with other local teams. Our main focus at the moment is to develop players who will one day fly the South African flag high.

“We have played MOKOLFA (Moses Kotane Local Football Association) in the past but the LFA failed on our football cluster and hasn’t kicked off since. Our plan now is preparation and triumph on Tlokweng Games also to acquire special training equipment,” said Phiri.

Phiri said his team like any other team gets players who sustain injuries but they never experience serious injury in their team since it started in 2013. Phiri said apart from certain organizations and parents who support their children’s football, the community plays no role in their team except supporting them when they play games.

“Apart from certain organizations and parents who support their children’s football, the community plays no role. Our management structure consists of the owner and coach, assistant coach and training coach

We have no sponsors; we contribute as team members to keep the team running. The objective is to dominate our local football whilst developing good and tactically sound players and introducing entertaining modern football”, concluded Phiri.

By SPORT REPORTER

HARRY PENYENYE FOUNDED Vrede Black Aces Football and Netball Clubs to unearth talent in soccer and netball. This team also known as VBA ka Matseo is based at 354 Ipopeng Section in Vrede a town in Moses Kotane Municipality in the North West province.

He named the team Vrede Black Aces with the aim of placing Vrede on the map of the football and netball of this country.

In an interview with Pako Community News Sports, the President and founder of the team Harry Penyenye said the team is not playing in any league but is working very hard to be the best team from the platinum province.

“We are not affiliated in any league at the moment. Our team have 50 members and we also have fans from locally who are always supporting us during training and when we play against our rivals.

“From 2021 we managed to play about 34 games, won 21, lost 9 and draw 4. We play local tournaments and bet with money with other teams while we are still waiting to play in Mokolfa (Moses Kotane Local Football Association) which is not open at the moment,” said Penyenye.

Penyenye said they unearth hidden talent by developing young players from the age of 13 years and above in soccer and netball without any funding which is a big challenge.

“Like any team players sustain injuries during the games. We assist them with transportation to local health facilities if it’s during the game. Some players who got minor injuries treat themselves in their households.

“The team wants to be remembered for all the good things they did for the players like buying them school uniforms and helping others to get driver's licenses,” added Penyenye.

*Additional info about Vrede Black Aces

       Home ground: Vrede sports ground

       President: Harry Penyenye

       Chairman: Clifford Motsamai

        Manager: Tshokolo Phege

        Team scout: Kagiso Mafisa

Pako Community Newspaper reporter Tumelo Motshegare.

Pako Community Newspaper’s Tumelo Motshegare spoke to Jackson Morolo Kgaswane of Toronto Football Club about the team...

Tumelo Motshegare: What is Toronto?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: Toronto is a football club from Tlokweng Village in Moses Kotane Municipality.

Tumelo Motshegare: When was the team founded and who named it Toronto?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: Toronto FC was founded in 2014 by me (JM Kgaswane).

Tumelo Motshegare: Where is the team based, location, place name, section name?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: We are based in Moses Kotane Local Municipality in the Kududu Section of Tlokweng.

Tumelo Motshegare: Where is your home ground?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: Our home ground is at Tlokweng Covered ground.

Tumelo Motshegare: Tell us about the team management structure or is it a one-man show?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: I am (Mr JM Kgaswane) the chairman of the team, team manager is Mrs MB Kgaswane. We have Tube Thoane and Omaatla Kgaswane in our Media and Communication department.

Tumelo Motshegare: Who is the coach, who is the team owner, and what is the objective of this team?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: I am the coach and Tube Thoane is the training coach. Our objective as a team is to provide opportunities for individuals to fulfil their potential through football.

Tumelo Motshegare: How many team members? Do they get support as a team from locals?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: We have 30 players and we have local fans that are supporting us when we are playing against our rival teams.

Tumelo Motshegare: In which league do you play, SAB or ABC Motsepe League?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: None

Tumelo Motshegare: Why is the team not in any league?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: Our job as a team is to maximize the potential of each player using the core values that will increase our ability to be the calibre team that is expected by coaches and our community.

Tumelo Motshegare: Does the team develop young players and how?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: We develop players by giving them proper training sessions and taking them to different soccer trials and soccer academy’s around.

Tumelo Motshegare: Who is funding the team activities?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: The team tries, by all means, to fund itself with my help.

Tumelo Motshegare: Where does the team want to be at the end of the soccer season?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: We are aiming to win all the tournaments we will be playing this year and most importantly to see our players being scouted by big teams so that they could reach their goals.

Tumelo Motshegare: When does the team practice?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: We have 4 days of practice (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

Tumelo Motshegare: Does the team have any injuries and how do they assist injured players to recover

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: We don’t have any injuries so far.

Tumelo Motshegare: What legacy is the team building for future generations?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: As a team that went deeper than playing football we provided the most capable path to achieve the ultimate goal of our team. Losing is not a failure; it is a lack of preparation and development. We will not fail in the field and community or in developing outstanding young men.

Tumelo Motshegare: When was the last game of the team?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: We played in a local tournament on 29 January this year and won the tournament.

Tumelo Motshegare: Lastly, what is the team’s 3-month plan?

Jackson Morolo Kgaswane: We are in looking forward to taking part in the second edition of the Tlokweng Games and being crowned champions of Tlokweng Games.