Cape Flats team scores big in Qatar
A PASSION-driven football endeavour, which saw young Cape Town players jet off 7 400km to Qatar, ended on a high when they won the majority of their matches.
The Cape Flats Football Academy, comprising seven under-19 players, and four under-25 players from various clubs in the Mother City, wowed locals and expat fans with both their talent and sportsmanship last month.
The brainchild behind it all, chief executive Ashraf Allie and sports coach Abdul Maliek Cassiem managed to get Nando’s Qatar on board as a sponsor.
Smaller associate sponsors, namely Awqaf SA, Albaraka Bank, the City of Cape Town and Old Mutual, also jumped on board.
The academy is the fruit of much sweat, negotiation and dedication.
Allie, also chairperson of the Hanover Park Cricket Club and ex-chair of the Cape Flats Chapter of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the tour was to expose the players to an international soccer arena.
“South Africa and especially the Cape Flats in my home city of Cape Town has so much young talent.
“What these youngsters lack are proper opportunities. It was my wish, and that of Abdul Maliek, to find those rough diamonds, who could benefit from a tour of this nature. That doesn’t mean only a career in football, because we have to accept that not everyone can take that path, but perhaps the opportunity to travel and broaden their horizons opens their eyes to the possibilities that exist in the world today.”
Cassiem, a former professional tennis player and head coach at the Qatar National Tennis Federation, now consults in Doha across various codes.
He said he wanted to show the team that there was life beyond the Cape Flats.
“Open trials were held for players and those who have received this wonderful opportunity should seize it.
‘‘We have boys from the most impoverished areas, such as Hanover Park and Manenberg, and this was a chance for them to see what is possible if you focus on the positive and live your life properly.
‘‘We had kids as young as 15 in the squad and this type of experience can only enrich their lives. My wish is that they pass on some of the lessons they’ve learnt.”
Allie thanked SA’s ambassador to Qatar, Shirish Soni, for helping to make the tour a success.
The academy played seven matches and a highlight was winning 15-1 against the Pakistan International School.