Current MTN 8 Champions, Mamelodi Sundowns in partnership with the Premier Soccer League, Boots for Africa, and the competition sponsor MTN, graced Hammanskraal region in northern Gauteng, to mark this year’s edition of the “Goals for Charity” initiative.
The initiative was launched by MTN in 2018 to complement the good work that was already being done through the MTN 8 Legacy Programme which aims at promoting soccer clinics and giving out donations of Dream Bags consisting of football kits to schools in the communities through the provincial roadshows.
Under the Goals for Charity Initiative, each goal scored within the regulation time during the 2021/2022 MTN 8 tournament qualified for a R20 000 donation.
First team players from Mamelodi Sundowns were in attendance such as Peter Shalulile, Themba Zwane, Haashim Domingo, Sphelele Mkhulise, Lesedi Kapinga, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Kennedy Mweene, and CAF Women’s Champions League winners Zanele Nhlapho and Rhoda Mulaudzi.
“It is a great initiative undertaken by the league and the sponsors to bring us to this community. Some of us came from such areas and to be here gives me great fulfillment because it gladdens my heart to see these young kids smiling. I am grateful to the club for being part of this initiative that is aimed at giving back to the young ones. It is a small world and these youngsters of today could be donning the colours of the club in the nearest future,” said Peter Shalulile.
Gavin Hendry, who is the Chairman of Boots for Africa also shared what the day symbolized and said “To see these young ones excited about the boots given to them is something big. Seeing the Mamelodi Sundowns Academy Coaches sharing their knowledge was a great thing to see and I could pick up that the kids were gaining some knowledge and we want to see more of these happening.”
Nonhlanhla Nkosi who is the head of Brand Marketing and Sponsorship at the Premier Soccer League weighed in on the event, “The day went well thanks to our partners MTN, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Boots for Africa. The kids were happy and they interacted with the reigning Champions. The initiative started in 2018 and it has been a great programme and we thank everyone that came through for this event.”
