FORMER Kaizer Chiefs striker Mike Mangena and the Free State provincial government have moved ahead with plans to generate excitement for the World Cup by launching a school's World Cup.
FORMER Kaizer Chiefs striker Mike Mangena and the Free State provincial government have moved ahead with plans to generate excitement for the World Cup by launching a school's World Cup.
The draw for the tournament, named 32 Schools Mini World Cup Hlasela ka Bolo will be conducted on January 22 and it will kick off on February 5.
"We are going to have 32 high schools from the Free State competing in this schools World Cup and each school will adopt a country playing in the World Cup. I have had tremendous support from Dan Kgothule, who is the Free State MEC for sports and recreation.
"The players who will be taking part stand a chance of being selected by some of the big clubs in the country. That is how most of us were discovered. School soccer was very strong, which in turn meant a stronger league and we hope with this new initiative we can revive some of that magic," Mangena said.
He also said they will involve former professional players from the province in the project.
"One of the legacies we'd like the World Cup to leave behind is to have most of the former players as qualified coaches."
Kgothule said: "We have a responsibility to educate youngsters on what the 2010 World Cup is all about. We are trying to encourage them to see value in participating in sports because most of them are loitering around.
"It is also an opportunity for Free State-based former professionals to share their knowledge of the game with the children."
The winning school will receive a replica of the World Cup trophy, medals and a whopping R100000.
Mangena involved in schools World Cup
FORMER Kaizer Chiefs striker Mike Mangena and the Free State provincial government have moved ahead with plans to generate excitement for the World Cup by launching a school's World Cup.
FORMER Kaizer Chiefs striker Mike Mangena and the Free State provincial government have moved ahead with plans to generate excitement for the World Cup by launching a school's World Cup.
The draw for the tournament, named 32 Schools Mini World Cup Hlasela ka Bolo will be conducted on January 22 and it will kick off on February 5.
"We are going to have 32 high schools from the Free State competing in this schools World Cup and each school will adopt a country playing in the World Cup. I have had tremendous support from Dan Kgothule, who is the Free State MEC for sports and recreation.
"The players who will be taking part stand a chance of being selected by some of the big clubs in the country. That is how most of us were discovered. School soccer was very strong, which in turn meant a stronger league and we hope with this new initiative we can revive some of that magic," Mangena said.
He also said they will involve former professional players from the province in the project.
"One of the legacies we'd like the World Cup to leave behind is to have most of the former players as qualified coaches."
Kgothule said: "We have a responsibility to educate youngsters on what the 2010 World Cup is all about. We are trying to encourage them to see value in participating in sports because most of them are loitering around.
"It is also an opportunity for Free State-based former professionals to share their knowledge of the game with the children."
The winning school will receive a replica of the World Cup trophy, medals and a whopping R100000.
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