IT is well known that young men with too much time on their hands and no constructive outlet for their energy are often tempted to turn to crime.
For many years, there were several active soccer clubs in Aberdeen for the youth.
Young Blues was the first soccer club to be formed, established in 1986 by men who had been working away from Aberdeen for construction companies on their return home.
The players of Pysto FC were young men who were studying away from Aberdeen, at a time when there was no high school for them in the town.
The “youngest” club was Universal Kids of Rastafari, founded by local Rastafarians.
Over the years, people started to lose interest in football, and eventually all three clubs just stopped functioning.
Aberdeen resident, Sabelo Mbi, has always been keen to give back to his community, particularly the youth.
Last year, he pulled together the remnants of the three clubs to form Doritos, a name chosen by the players.
The slim resources of all three teams were merged, creating a team to represent all the soccer players in Aberdeen, with Mbi and Deon Nonnies as coaches.
There are many challenges for the team, but the strong and enthusiastic management group are determined to use all the resources at their disposal.
The team has been entered into the Dr Beyers Naude League, and plays matches in Graaff-Reinet and Aberdeen.
“Most of the players are unemployed. We have a few students, and a reasonable number of recovering drug users and players that are from correctional institutions,” explained Mbi. They struggle with transport, and still use jerseys that were sponsored by a local company in the 1990s.
They also only have one soccer ball, and desperately need more for practices.
Mbi explained that one of their key principles is that the team would not be linked to any political party.
“We have a duty towards our community to help combat crime and to assist with drugs eradication in our town by getting help and support from businesses and other residents we will be in a position to do so,” concluded Mbi.
For more information contact Sabelo Mbi on 064 837 1352.
