01 Oct 2022

A football pundit, Mr Moseki ‘Modesto’ Dipuo had accentuated the need for communities to change their mindset so as to improve livelihoods.

Speaking in an interview during Modesto Independence tournament at Segwagwa, near Mmathethe during Independence day, Mr Dipuo who is the organiser of the tourney said there was need for communities to change their mindset to fend for themselves unlike to rely on government.

He argued that mindset change creates people and societies that are more aware and empathetic towards the fine balance between growth and sustainability while improving livelihoods.

“A positive mindset has the power to change our lives completely. It can help us achieve our goals, find success and happiness, and create the life we want,” he said.

He said he observed that government was burdened by sponsoring community activities and thus implored communities to meet government at least halfway or completely fend for themselves which is why he organised the tourney on his own to spread education across communities to learn to do things on their own.

He said the tourney was also geared to celebrates Independence in style so as to revive its vibe of yesteryears. 

He told BOPA that football clubs were a platform to provide individuals, particularly the youth, with significantly increased chances of securing employment via the social networks provided by football clubs. “Football clubs were also important and effective vehicles for delivering health and safety campaign messages for young people,” he said.

He said football brings people together thus promoting unity and people who have come together develop a habit of helping each other in times of need thus creating a good society.

Over and above, he said a good society has laws to direct behaviour and guide people on what emotions are appropriate.

He is of the view that although football sometimes has had injuries and concussions, the qualities of the sport inspires people to be the best they could.

He said given that football brings people together as a family, it promotes good behaviours for a better society just like the many other sport codes played in communities, adding sportsmanship is about team work, discipline and supporting each other.

He noted these behaviours are the key to a good society and people depend on the strength of society for a good quality life, emphatically pointing through sports, humanity is united and inspired to be the best it can be. 

He said such tournaments would go a long way in identifying and nurturing talents in the village as football scouts were only focused in main villages. He said such a move would help to grow sport in the country as he intends to include other sporting codes in future events or competitions.

He said the idea is to feed big teams with upcoming stars ranging from third division to elite league. He shared that the tourney also helps reduce road accidents as villagers were celebrating without travelling long distances in search of tournaments in big villages.

He said the tourney keeps the youths busy thus diverting them from unbecoming paths or bahaviour that is detrimental to their future. Ends