BY REGINALD KANYANE
MANTHE-Based football club players were blissful after they won a tournament on Sunday. Queenspark Rangers coach Gordon Jopwe said tournaments like this help in developing the players. “Every top footballer was once a grassroots player. Each have progressed through the development stages of free play, organised session and, when their talent was identified, into serious, deliberate practice in a club environment,” Jopwe said.
He said even though they running the club on a shoe-string budget, they managed thus far with support from their supporters.
“We’re the only team plying our trade in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district plying our trade in South African Brewery league currently. However we would like to get more support from various investors’ especially financial muscle. We struggle to travel around to attend games and that affect players’ morality,” he said.
Rangers won a Top 8 tournament that was played in Manokwane village, Taung.
The tournament was organised by former local football players.
“Being involved in grassroots football is a very rewarding experience. Improving young players technically is one challenge, but contributing to a youngster’s personal development is also a fundamental goal,” Jopwe said.
One of the organisers, Tebogo Moagi said: “We decided to organise a tournament like this because our players do not get exposure they deserve. So we want to market this tournament and invite scouts over to come and scout for talents while the players are at the younger age.”
He said Taung has more talents but it does not produce players accordingly. Moagi said Mothusi Gopane is the only player from Taung who ply his trade for elite league. Gopane plays for premier soccer league outfit, Supersport.
“Through football, grassroots coaches have a big impact on their players’ emotional behaviour, helping them to optimistic, in control, able to handle conflict, focused, co-operative and socially integrated.
Various stakeholders were in attendance and before the match, LifeLove organisation encouraged the youth to live healthy life-style. Lovelife co-ordinator, Onalenna Moeng said the youth must take charge of their lives and refrain from the use of drugs and alcohol.
Professor Ted Dumitru said the grassroots football’s potential role as an educational, social vehicle cannot be underestimated, and needs to be promoted for the benefit of young people, society and the game itself.
“I think we’re losing direction in developing players. What we need to do is to go back to basics. Let’s develop coaches first so that they know what tactics and techniques to apply when developing players. It is been a while without having a player like Steven Pienaar,” Dumitru said.
Rangers took home R8000 after they were crowned overall winners.
-TDN
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