They know what it's like to have a dream and zero opportunities. Mamelodi Sundowns players Grant Kekana and Terrence Mashego have partnered with Tshwane DJ, Dinho in hosting the Mamelodi Festive Tournament to help players to compete with their peers for prize money. "But also, you don't know who's watching and when your biggest break may come. It's to allow them to be scouted and hopefully poached to play for professional teams," Terrence tells ZiMoja. The tournament will see sixteen clubs - with eight of them going at each other over two days. Dubbed Pretoria's entertainment president, DJ Dinho, real name Tiego Motau, is passionate about community development and saw it fit to partner with African Football League champions.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
Terrence is currently travelling to Congo with his team Mamelodi Sundowns to play against TP Mazembe but is making time to plan the big tournament taking place from 18 - 28 December. They will host various clubs from in and around Mamelodi, competing for a grand prize of R75 000. "Grant and I are professional football players and we know the hunger and drive it takes to make it to the professional league," Terrence says. "This tournament is to empower and inspire young players to keep dreaming and working even harder to reach new heights."
PLAYING BAREFOOT
Terrence says when he was still playing football, he was scouted and wishes to do the same for aspiring champions. "I was scouted playing during a tournament such as this one. So, I wanted to do the same for young players who grew up with not enough opportunities, such as me." Born in Mamelodi, Tshwane, Terrence says he too played on the dusty streets. "I come from a similar background. I was raised in Mamelodi and we used to play barefoot, in the street, for 50c," he says. "So, we are encouraging under 23 players to come as we have invited scouts to identify new talent," Terrence says all the prize money for the tournament is coming from their own pockets. "We have just started, hopefully, more people will get on board in the future, but for now we are self-funded."
