Teens on a Mission Youth Club together with Daxina Primary School hosted a Soccer Tournament to raise funds for Mulbarton soccerite, Darius Maharaj, 16, who has been selected for the Socca Dream Team squad to go for trials in Tuscany, Italy in December.
Kaliyani Naidoo, Department spokesperson at the event said it was a real privilege and honour to be part of this event. ”There was a remarkable turnout with our Lenasia South youth being excited and ever so ready to show their football skills on the field. Family and friends showed so much of dedication and love with some traveling from far just to show their support for Darius. Some of our seniors also showed off their soccer skills on the field and this encouraged our youth even more,” she explained.
Dad, Kabeer Maharaj confirmed that the family still needed to raise R60 000 for Darius to participate in the Tuscany trials in December. He expressed his profound gratitude to Naidoo for her dedicated efforts to assist and that and Darius’s grandparents, Kumaran and Vigie Pillay, played an important role by selling scrumptious meals to raise funds. Although the Maharaj family no longer live in the area, they were excited to host this event in Lenasia South to boost morale and nurture local soccer talent.
He said: “Thank you to all who supported us in making this day a success.”
Naidoo added: ”Through this event I met the youth and some men and a woman who were willing, and committed, to taking on our youth and coach them to becoming better young adults, encourage discipline in sports and their daily lives. The community together with myself are now planning to bring more soccer, netball, volleyball, indigenous games and some arts and culture events into Lenasia South.”
Darius, a grade 11 learner at Glenvista High told GLOBE POST that he was very excited for his trip and filled with gratitude to his family, the Department and the Socca Dream Team organisers for their support and on being selected to represent South Africa internationally. ”Hard work, discipline, and respect pays off, not forgetting to concentrate on your school work to add to your future careers and make a meaningful difference as young South Africans in society.”
For information or to sponsor Darius, contact Kabeer Maharaj 061 445 8352.
