21 Aug 2018

Moroka Swallows are the champions of the inagural Football Foundation for Africa (FFA) tournament which was launched in Moroka on August 18.

Swallows thrashed Tjempie 2-1 in penalties in the final to emerge the finest of the six teams that participated in the seven aside tournament.

Launching the tournament, Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Dikgang Makgalemele commended the organisers for seeing it fit to launch such a noble project in a small village like Moroka.

He stated that such an initiative needed to be celebrated because it empowered young people in rural areas adding that the tournament would be spread accross Botswana with time.

Makgalemele indicated that the event was unique because it combined a football tournament and a career fair for the youth of Moroka and sorrounding villages.

He further noted that it was commendable that a Moroka- born co-founded the project through her foundation FFA.

He said football had the power to unite people and provide opportunities for the youth. “It is a profession that has seen many young people suffering from poverty become well off.”

The co-founder of FFA Angelinah Boniface stated that young people should be encouraged to venture into sport because not everyone was academically gifted.

She said there was a lot of talent in Moroka and Botswana at large which needed to be nurtured.

She thanked government for supporting her initiative by bringing all government departments to the event to offer services to the public.

Tati West MP Biggie Butale highlighted that fitness and sport were key in fight  against Non-Communicable Diseases.

He reiterated that sport was a source of employment and could no longer be treated as pastime.

Butale said this tournament should be the beginning of great things for many as they should build their future from it.

He encouraged parents to nurture their children’s talents because this would in turn benefit both children and their parents.

In his appreciation remarks, Kgosi George Moroka thanked the organisers for launching the tournament in Moroka amongst all other villages.

He indicated that it was noble to start such projects in small villages so that they could motivate young people who felt faraway from developments.

He advised the youth to take lessons from the tournament and career fair and apply them on their daily lives. ENDS