Soccer holds a special place in the hearts of many South Africans, often transcending from just a sport to a lifestyle. Embracing this sentiment, 90 aspiring football enthusiasts were given the unique opportunity to participate in a world class coaching camp hosted by the internationally renowned LALIGA at the Arbor Park Sports Grounds in Newcastle.
LALIGA, renowned globally for its Spanish football and boasting millions of fans around the globe, conducted this event from Sunday, 1 October 2023, to Tuesday, 3 October 2023.
The initiative was organised by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture (KZNDSAC) in collaboration with LALIGA, with the aim of fostering football development in the region and forging international football connections.
Committed to promoting football development, LALIGA’s camp garnered immense excitement from the 45 boys and 45 girls who participated in the initiative. The event was exceptional as it exposed young players to two LALIGA coaches possessing UEFA Pro Licences.
These distinguished coaches, joined by 12 local coaches, imparted substantial knowledge and expertise to the participants, equipping them for their soccer journeys.
During the event, Tresor Penku, Managing Director for LALIGA Africa, highlighted LALIGA’s dedication to nurturing football talent worldwide.
He stressed that the coaching camp was a testament to their commitment to developing soccer in South Africa. “We believe this event will inspire the next generation of football stars and strengthen the football community in the area,” said Penku.
KZNDSAC MED, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, welcomed the LALIGA Football Camp to Newcastle. Gracing KZN for the second time, he highlighted the camp was set to provide local football players and coaches the opportunity to learn from some of the best coaches in the world.
“We are honoured to collaborate with LALIGA on this initiative. Football is a passion that unites people, and we are excited to witness the positive impact this camp will have on our local community. It’s a great opportunity for our youth to learn from the best and develop their skills,” said MEC Mahlaba.
As Newcastle played host to LALIGA and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, we invite you to share your thoughts on this collaboration and its potential impact on the local community in the comment section below.
