Football academy for youngsters
Young footballers will now have the opportunity to join the Himba Gladiator Football Academy in Windhoek headed by Brave Gladiators captain Uerikondjera ‘Mamie’ Kasaona.
Kasaona has come up with an initiative to assist players who fail to grasp basic football skills.
The Gladiators captain is a teacher at Bethold Himumuine Primary School and played football professionally in the German Women League in the Westphalia region for two years, has a Uefa coaching licence and Fifa Grassroot and International grassroots certificate.
However, before reaching these heights, she played football in the dusty streets of Opuwo. “I come from a marginalised community, the Himba. There is no way that you would think that a girl from that area would get the chance to play football at international level, but it happened.”
The defender said that her ball kicking days started at the age of five. “We made balls from plastic bags and that’s how it all started. Today, a lot of youngsters look up to me and I know I have to set an example to show them that they can achieve whatever they set their mind on.
She said that most players are gifted, but they lack certain attributes which can take them to greater heights. “I see most girls in the national team who can’t pass the ball the right way. I think if players are developed and groomed at a young age they don’t have to struggle with basic skills when they get to national level,” she says.
“I want to draft girls between the age of 6 – 8 years and boys between the ages of 9 – 13 years in the academy. Kasaona says she’s passionate about developing young players who can one day represent the country.
“My football career will end any time but because I have such a passion and love for the game, I thought of giving young girls and boys a chance and opportunity to also reach their dreams,” said Kasaona.
She further says that football is no longer a male-dominated field. “I know that girls in the Herero community are disadvantage because their parents hold them back, saying that football is for boys, but that is wrong. Most Damara/Nama speaking parents are very supportive and push their young girls to excel in soccer. An example is Annouschka Kordom.”
“I scouted her at her primary school. She used to play football with the boys. I then spoke to her parents and they encouraged her to play. Now she’s playing football in the US.”
Kasitu who will work closely with Kasaona is hopeful that the academy will kick – off soon. I know there are financial problems in the women league, but I don’t want to ask for money from corporate companies. Some equipment and gear would help me greatly,” she says.
People who are interested in helping the academy can call 0814175654 or 0817632600.
Limba Mupetami
The Gladiators captain is a teacher at Bethold Himumuine Primary School and played football professionally in the German Women League in the Westphalia region for two years, has a Uefa coaching licence and Fifa Grassroot and International grassroots certificate.
However, before reaching these heights, she played football in the dusty streets of Opuwo. “I come from a marginalised community, the Himba. There is no way that you would think that a girl from that area would get the chance to play football at international level, but it happened.”
The defender said that her ball kicking days started at the age of five. “We made balls from plastic bags and that’s how it all started. Today, a lot of youngsters look up to me and I know I have to set an example to show them that they can achieve whatever they set their mind on.
She said that most players are gifted, but they lack certain attributes which can take them to greater heights. “I see most girls in the national team who can’t pass the ball the right way. I think if players are developed and groomed at a young age they don’t have to struggle with basic skills when they get to national level,” she says.
“I want to draft girls between the age of 6 – 8 years and boys between the ages of 9 – 13 years in the academy. Kasaona says she’s passionate about developing young players who can one day represent the country.
“My football career will end any time but because I have such a passion and love for the game, I thought of giving young girls and boys a chance and opportunity to also reach their dreams,” said Kasaona.
She further says that football is no longer a male-dominated field. “I know that girls in the Herero community are disadvantage because their parents hold them back, saying that football is for boys, but that is wrong. Most Damara/Nama speaking parents are very supportive and push their young girls to excel in soccer. An example is Annouschka Kordom.”
“I scouted her at her primary school. She used to play football with the boys. I then spoke to her parents and they encouraged her to play. Now she’s playing football in the US.”
Kasitu who will work closely with Kasaona is hopeful that the academy will kick – off soon. I know there are financial problems in the women league, but I don’t want to ask for money from corporate companies. Some equipment and gear would help me greatly,” she says.
People who are interested in helping the academy can call 0814175654 or 0817632600.
Limba Mupetami
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