A Kensington boy will represent his community in Germany later this month.
Mahleek Wilson (10) will join a group of 27 players attached to the Hellenic Football Club on a nine-day tour of Freiburg from Thursday 28 September.
The Kenmere Primary School learner needs about R10 000 to go on the trip.
His mother Petula explained he needed R50 000 to cover all his expenses but thanks to fundraisers they were able to raise the bulk of the funds.
Wilson said her son has been fond of soccer since he was a toddler.
“My husband is a soccer coach for a community soccer team. So, my son has been raised in a soccer environment. When he started walking and crawling there was always a ball around him. Even in the kitchen when I cooked, I would always get agitated because I would always stumble across a ball. He started playing at the age of four.”
She explained he played for the Kensington Football Club, in the u-7 category, for three years.
“He did a school project once and had to specify what he wanted to become one day, and without hesitation he said ‘a soccer player’. He has always been playing.”
Wilson said she and her family were elated that Mahleek was chosen to represent his community.
“We are extremely proud of him. He is dedicated to his football and his education. He is an A (learner) at Kenmere Primary School.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s not every day that your 10-year-old child gets this opportunity. No-one in our family has ever been overseas, so this is a first for us. This opportunity will encourage him to continue working harder.”
Mahleek said soccer is his passion.
“I love soccer because it is a team sport and teaches you discipline on and off the field. Every week, I get to see places and meet new friends. And mostly to have fun. My favourite soccer player is Cristiano Ronaldo.”
The centre back says he is looking forward to the trip.
“I feel happy and excited about going to a new country. I feel excited about going on an aeroplane for the first time. I feel proud that I was chosen to go to Germany. I am proud of my community for supporting me. “I look forward to exploring and maybe learning a different language. I look forward to playing soccer in a new country.”
Chad Allen, Managing Director of the Hellenic Football Club, said the trip includes football training sessions, matches, and educational and cultural site visits. He said the trip is an extension of club’s High Performance Programme which aims to expose young players to more than just football.
He said: “The squad is representative of the different racial, religious and cultural groups that we have at the club, and for many it will be a first experience of everything we will be doing on the tour. It is our aim to make this a complete life-changing experience.”
Wilson expressed her gratitude to all who supported their fundraising efforts.
“Support from our family and community has been amazing, and we just want to thank them. If it weren’t for them this would not have been possible.”
She urged those who wished to contribute to contact her husband on 081 351 6231.
The group is expected to return on Monday 9 October.
