Chebeng Community Cup
By Jenny Eaton Dyer, PhD
Nashville Soccer Club’s midfielder, Lebo Moloto, hails from Polokwane, South Africa. Polokwane is a rural village about four hours north of Johannesburg. Moloto was scouted as a child, and he moved to Johannesburg to play soccer at the at the age of eleven.
Moloto returns to visit Polkwane annually to visit family and friends, bringing his own growing family with him. As of last year, he launched the first annual Chebeng Community Cup in his village (check out the amazing video!). Then, he provided 80 kids with cleats, soccer uniforms, and gear for three days of a tournament. He recruited former teammates from South Africa to come help, and he emphasized the importance of education. In fact, if the kids aren’t in school – they aren’t allowed to play in the tournament. He incentivizes them to stay in school, he will tell you, this way. After the tournament, he provides clean, new school uniforms and shoes for every player (not just soccer uniforms).
This year, he will be launching the tournament in 2019 late December for 120 kids. To prepare, he and his wife, Lauren, are collecting soccer cleats, shin guards, backpacks, used uniforms, and socks. They also are raising funding on Go Fund Me for the Chebeng Community Cup.
Soles4Souls is getting involved, and they also have promised to help with the athletic shoes/cleats as well!
In the spirit of uplifting vulnerable populations, like the children in Polokwane, the 2030 Collaborative is proud to help support the Chebeng Community Cup this year. We invite you to consider giving a modest gift which will inspire the youth of Polokwane to continue education, pursue health, and dream big.