English football legend David Beckham met with young soccer players and coaches in Khayelithsa, Cape Town yesterday to give his support to the Coaching for Hope programme.
Beckham visited the Ikhusi P.P. School in Khayelitsha to attend a ‘Coaching for Hope’ (CfH) session arranged by the English Football Association as part of its ‘International Development Programme’ (IDP).
Accompanied by former Bafana captain Lucas Radebe and FA Chairman David Triesman, Bechkam took a tour of the facilities before a question and answer session with young players and the kick off of a specially arranged tournament.
“It is amazing to visit a project like this and see the effect football has on young people. Football has the power to change lives and these youngsters are able to learn valuable lessons through their love of the game,” said Beckham.
30 000 young people in Africa and more than 800 in South Africa have taken part in CfH football and education work since 2005.
The program trains local soccer coaches and youth workers to recognised FA standards and helps them gain skills to educate the youth in their communities in dealing with issues like HIV and substance abuse.
“It is a fantastic example of a project using the universal language of football to help promote positive change in people’s lives,” said FA Chairman David Triesman.
Lucas Radebe agreed that CfH was a good example of using the global reach of football to make a difference.
“Matches played in one country can inspire kids from a completely different continent as they try to emulate heroes like David Beckham. It is also great to see an organisation like The FA supporting projects around the world which not only encourage football education, but also to highlight issues around health and social inclusion.”
The Director of CfH, Jane Carter, said Beckham’s visit brings the concept of a role model to a whole new level.
“To receive such a high profile visit from one of the world’s most famous players will shine a light on the work we do in a way that nothing else could.”
