Staff Reporter.
Today, MTN, the Premier Soccer League and the MTN8 2021/22 Champions, Mamelodi Sundowns FC donated over 400 pairs of brand-new soccer boots to Boots for Africa as part of the 2021/22 MTN8 Goals for Charity initiative.
Boots for Africa is an organisation dedicated to collecting and distributing pre-loved sports shoes and gear to children in disadvantaged communities within the African continent. The organisation was founded in 2007 by Richard Tims and his wife, Jenny, after seeing children playing football on their bare feet and sharing the passion of the game.
During the 2021/22 MTN8 tournament, R460 000 was raised from 23 goals scored within regulation time. Each goal scored contributed R20 000 toward the Goals for Charity funds. MTN added R40 000, which brought the total sum donated to various charities to R500 000, including the R80 000 donated to Boots for Africa.
Nomsa Mazibuko, Brand and Communications General Manager at MTN SA said: “with each year of the MTN8 tournament, we look forward to not only bringing people closer to their passion of the beautiful game of football. We also look forward to the number of goals scored by the top eight teams because they determine the output of the Goals for Charity initiative. The more goals scored, the better it is for all the charities that benefit from this noble initiative”.
“Our organisation prides itself in providing access to sporting equipment to disadvantaged children from different walks of life. In the past 15 years, we have assisted over 39 000 children in 11 African countries to reach their full potential and overcome adversity. We are grateful for the incredible donation from MTN and Mamelodi Sundowns FC. We believe the five schools benefiting from this donation will allow the children to develop their skills and fitness while sharing the passion of the game”, said Gavin Hendry, Chairman at Boots for Africa.
“As a sponsor of football, MTN believes in developing skills and talent of youngsters within the communities. With the football boots donated by Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Boots for Africa to the schools today, we hope they give the kids an opportunity to sharpen their football skills and eventually reach the potential to one day play in the premier league”, concludes Nomsa.
The remaining R420 000 Goals for Charity funds will be distributed to charities nominated by the six MTN Regions across the country. This will further demonstrate MTN’s commitment to uplifting and making a difference in the lives of ordinary people within the different communities they operate.