Young boys are devoted to football
What to do after school is always the question for young boys in informal settlements, but a lot of them choose to play football.
Street soccer can be risky for young ones who often do not have any places to go to and play football, but boys in the Okahandja Park informal settlement spotted a small open area under a tree to call their field.
Sport Wrap took to the streets of informal settlements to find out what young boys in those areas do after school.
Spotted putting together a ball was 12-year-old Paulus Miyenga, who said they play football to keep themselves busy.
He was quick to point out that their school works comes first before playing the game they love.
“We only play on weekends and less on weekdays because we also have to study and not just play football,” he said.
Miyenga was speaking on behalf of the other boys with him, saying that they want to play in the national team when they grow up.
“When we grow up, we want to play for the national team so we have to develop our skills from a young age,” he said.
The small group of boys not only play against each other but at times play against children from other informal settlements.
Despite being so passionate about football, the boys had to make their own ball as they do not have a proper ball. “We have to fix our own ball because we do not have a proper ball but even when we play with this ball it is still just fun,” Miyenga said.
In Otjomuise 7de Laan the boys all shouted, “We love soccer, that is why we play it every day.”
Indileni Johannes, also 12 years old, said football keeps them busy as being at home becomes boring.
“Not all of us have TVs at home so we just meet in the street to play football,” he said.
He said they are always on the lookout for cars and move out of the way when a car approaches.
Although some play in the hot sun, the boys from Okuryangava wait for sunset to play street football because it is cooler then. Some of the passionate young footballers will get better opportunities following the creation of the HopSol Youth league last week. The league targets players between nine and 19 years of age and will form football clubs at schools in less privileged areas.
KAINO NGHITONGO
Sport Wrap took to the streets of informal settlements to find out what young boys in those areas do after school.
Spotted putting together a ball was 12-year-old Paulus Miyenga, who said they play football to keep themselves busy.
He was quick to point out that their school works comes first before playing the game they love.
“We only play on weekends and less on weekdays because we also have to study and not just play football,” he said.
Miyenga was speaking on behalf of the other boys with him, saying that they want to play in the national team when they grow up.
“When we grow up, we want to play for the national team so we have to develop our skills from a young age,” he said.
The small group of boys not only play against each other but at times play against children from other informal settlements.
Despite being so passionate about football, the boys had to make their own ball as they do not have a proper ball. “We have to fix our own ball because we do not have a proper ball but even when we play with this ball it is still just fun,” Miyenga said.
In Otjomuise 7de Laan the boys all shouted, “We love soccer, that is why we play it every day.”
Indileni Johannes, also 12 years old, said football keeps them busy as being at home becomes boring.
“Not all of us have TVs at home so we just meet in the street to play football,” he said.
He said they are always on the lookout for cars and move out of the way when a car approaches.
Although some play in the hot sun, the boys from Okuryangava wait for sunset to play street football because it is cooler then. Some of the passionate young footballers will get better opportunities following the creation of the HopSol Youth league last week. The league targets players between nine and 19 years of age and will form football clubs at schools in less privileged areas.
KAINO NGHITONGO
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