VEEPLAAS-BORN teacher, Leemisa Welcome Mabote, would like to render assistance in establishing youth football clubs around Kwadwesi Extension.
Mabote started playing football for City Royals, then known as Young Royals, in Veeplaas in the 1970s.
He stated that Royals FC founders, Johnson Lhintyi Langman, Walton Cappy Ngcayisa, Eric Camagu and the late Velile Mvoko, gave him moral support from the junior to senior level. He also commended his Emsengeni Lower Primary, Emfundweni Higher and Ndzondelelo Senior Secondary Schools sports coaches who guided him.
“I took part in soccer, rugby and athletics at school. I enjoyed playing for my school. We did not argue with our teachers because we regarded them as our parents. We knew that our teachers were always right and they would never mislead us.”
He revealed that his elder brother, Moeketsi, also supported his football career.
Mabote said, “There were no league games for second teams at our local football association. Many young players including my elder brothers split from City Royals to form their club called Black Pirates FC.”
Mabote also said that education was a key to success. He is the head of department in mathematics, science and technology at Zanolwazi High School in Despatch Township.
He said that he could help any youth football club around Kwadwesi Extension. Furthermore, Mabote stated he would form a youth football organisation in his vicinity to train the youth from the grass roots level.
Interested parties from Kwadwesi Extension can contact him on 072 634 9105.
