Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Mike Rapatsa says he has established a Legends for Life Sports programme, which is aimed at helping struggling ex-players and developing young talent.
Rapatsa retired from playing football in 2002.
The former goal poacher, who is also a pastor, has been involved in grassroots football. He owns a development academy that plays in SAFA local leagues in Limpopo, where he hails from.
Rapatsa says football legends, specifically in Limpopo, still have a lot to offer and have been knocking for opportunities, but unfortunately, the doors are closed. He says they plan to host a football festival tournament in December, which will also help raise funds to pay some ex-professionals and teach young kids how to play and coach football.
“We are looking at the upcoming festive season, and our focus is to ensure funding for the ex-professionals who are currently destitute and unemployed,” Rapatsa told FARPost.
“So right now, we are looking for any company, individual club, or person who can contribute to the upliftment of the Limpopo ex-professionals.
PLANS FOR A FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR STRUGGLING EX-PROFESSIONALS
“We are targeting December, whereby we can call around 18 Limpopo ex-professionals to come and participate in an event,” added Rapatsa.
“We also intend to invite around 400 children to attend what we call a soccer festival. In this festival, the Limpopo legends will be identifying talent.
“Whatever number of children we put together, we will combine that and recommend it to any team that would have hosted us. Obviously, we also intend to host coaching clinics and workshops to encourage communities.”
MIKE RAPATSA EXPLAINS HOW THE LEGENDS FOR LIFE SPORTS PROGRAMME WILL WORK
“Apart from all these. The Legends for Life sports programme provides services in what we call periodisation for clubs. In this, we are talking about pre-season training. It is a six-week or eight-week preparation of the team in anticipation of the league fixtures.
“We also offer and host tournaments that have everything to do with sports. Especially the mass participation in sports where we have indigenous games. So we are asking for funding to pay our legends’ appearance fees.”
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