Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day held in his honour on July 18th, which also happens to be Mandela’s birthday. The first UN Mandela Day was observed on July 18, 2010, after the day was formally designated by the UN in November 2009.
The theme for 2022 is “Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.”
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club held a coaching clinic in the North-West Province to commemorate this special day. The Senior Team had their preseason camp at the Royal Marang Sports field in advance of the 2022/2023 season, and more than 100 children were invited.
Children between the ages of 10 and 16 flocked in great numbers to watch the domestic treble winners train. In a fun environment, the players instructed the children in drills to improve their tactical skills during the sessions.
Tlhopie Motsepe, the club chairman, senior team coaches, senior team players, and youth academy coaches were present.
The senior team players had the chance to put the children through their paces during the drills. Denis Onyango, one of the players, could not help but smile as he said that “It is always a pleasure being around the young ones, to see them smiling and being cheerful, that brings joy to us. I enjoyed every second I spent with them and I think I have unearthed a hidden talent in me because I enjoyed being on the side-lines and giving instructions, maybe when I call it a day as a player, I might take up coaching”.
Coach Steve Komphela said, “I think the day is more about children, uTata was passionate about kids as he understood that the future of any nation depends on them and this is what is happening today. The message is now for the little ones to know that they are valuable and that they must enjoy sports. Sports has the power to transform and change the world and those were his words uTata. Above all sports teaches you human values and being here serves the purpose and I would love to thank the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club family for this great initiative”.
