This is a good initiative – Khetsiwe Samuel
EZULWINI – “We bought the idea when the family head told us about it.”
These were the words of the Atibuye Emasisweni Soccer Foundation main sponsor representative Khetsiwe Samuel, when addressing the media during the official launch of the foundation, which was held at the SibaneSami Hotel in Ezulwini yesterday.
She revealed that when Samuel came with the idea to partner with the legends towards developing the sport at grassroots, they liked it as he loved football so much. “This is a good initiative which will benefit not only the children, but also the legends as the manager highlighted that they would be paid monthly for doing their job,” Samuel said.
She jokingly said she was now in love with the sport too after the family partnered with the foundation and was looking forward to a productive relationship, which would change the landscape of Eswatini football in the not-so-distant future.
Sponsors
Samuel further revealed that they would continue supporting and searching for more sponsors for the foundation as it was on the right course to transform Eswatini football. “We are hopeful and looking forward to more sponsors in the future. With more sponsors; our aim and target is to help all the schools across the country. We are also hopeful to get support from the government,” she added.
Meanwhile, Eswatini Schools Sports Association (ESSA) President Zakhele
Myeni said the foundation would help them as teachers to unearth the raw talent as it was a challenge in the past, as they used school teachers with less experience in the sport. “We are truly happy about this project as it will help us unearth and nurture the raw talent we have in schools around the country,” Myeni said.
He said the country would never go wrong in taking the sport to greater heights when investing in children at a tender age.
Myeni further assured Atibuye Emasisweni Foundation that as teachers, they would be with them all the way as they embarked on the journey of changing Eswatini football and he would give a full detailed report to the Ministry of Education and Training.