Masters and Legends ‘skills vault’ set to boost Northern Cape soccer
I AM ALMOST certain that, like me, many have always believed that experience is something you cannot lose and that knowledge is power.
However, it happens all too frequently that people who have all the skills and knowledge retire or quit working for various reasons resulting in all of that information and experience being wasted at home.
But this is all about to change for the soccer fraternity in the Northern Cape after the Masters and Legends Football Association was established in Kimberley. The Association will be a massive boost for Northern Cape football clubs and upcoming stars.
The DFA spoke with the SAFA Northern Cape Provincial Chairperson, Lebogang Riet, during the first elective congress that was held in Kimberley recently.
The Northern Cape, according to Riet, is home to a wealth of retired players who participated in coaching or played professionally during their peak but who are presently not involved in soccer in any way, shape, or form except by watching it. In other words, they are sitting with a wealth of knowledge but aren't imparting it to anyone.
“We decided to form the Masters and Legends Football Association for that reason,” says Riet. “We want to gather all of those retired players under one roof so that we may benefit from their wisdom and experience as we work to improve soccer in the Northern Cape.”
According to Riet, these veteran players will be utilised at training camps and workouts to help with coaching as well as to promote and grow the sport in the province.
“We need them to join together and unify and develop football in our communities so that our up-and-coming football players can get the correct instruction from individuals who have the expertise,” Riet explained, adding, “Their abilities are being wasted sitting at home.”
Riet continued by saying that the elected authorities would now need to see to it that sub-districts are established around the province to help players not just in Kimberley but also elsewhere.
For someone who is just starting out in the Beautiful Game or needs to advance their career, having the appropriate information, abilities, and experience may mean the world.
All the young football players will now have access to that knowledge vault thanks to the Masters and Legends Football Association that was established in Kimberley. Let's hope that the association will grow into something that will be able to produce the next big stars on the playing field.
For more information, those interested in finding out more about the Association can send an e-mail to: ncmlfa@gmail. com, or check out the Northern Cape Masters & Legends Football Association Facebook page.