25 May 2016

Rakitla Bogatsu is one of the few people who have made it their responsibility to nurture young talented soccer players to become the next super stars.

Driven by passion and ambition, he formed Umlilo Soccer Academy to promote young talent by encouraging boys and girls to venture into sports especially those between the ages of six and 17.

He is currently preparing the boys team for Regional Second Division and the girls’ team for First National Women’s League 2016/2017.

He said registration into Umlilo Soccer Academy was free and the aim is to include other sporting codes like netball, athletics and others.

“The plan is for Umlilo Soccer Academy to be represented by players in all youth structures or national teams.”

Bogatsu is not only a soccer coach. He is also a clothing designer who makes his own soccer kits for the team players, a skill he is also imparting on the young Umlilo soccer players.

“I was inspired by lack of funds when I decided to make soccer kits for teams. I use my skill to design and make them and the clothing line is to be launched soon.”

He said the idea is to make them multi skilled given the limited job opportunities. 

“I teach those with the ability and passion to learn how to sew as I believe that if they are armed with the necessary skills, they can be able to venture into small business enterprises to make a living,” he said.

Bogatsu said the skills also extended to paper ceiling, packaging and box framing as part of helping them to be creative and innovative.

He called upon those with interest to volunteer as coaches to get in contact with him to help train the growing numbers of the Umlilo Academy youngsters.

He said his dream is to find a permanent training facility and a long term sponsor to help them grow and nurture the talent.

Bogatsu advised parents to be supportive towards their children’s talents and give them priority especially when they have competitions or when they have done well because this encourages children to work hard and produce the best results. ENDS