MTN8 champions Mamelodi Sundowns have donated 400 football boots to deserving youngsters on Tuesday.
Masandawana beat Cape Town City on penalties in last year’s final to lift their first ever MTN8 trophy.
Tuesday’s handover of the boots was part of the 2021/22 MTN8 Goals for Charity Initiative, which saw R20 000 being collected for charity per goal scored in the MTN8 tournament.
Overall, 23 goals raised R460 000 with MTN adding another R40 000 to make up a total of R500 000 in funds raised. Of those R80 000 went to the Boots for Africa initiative.
“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,” said Nomsa Mazibuko, Brand and Communications General Manager at MTN SA.
“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.
“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.”
Gavin Hendry, Chairman at Boots for Africa, added: “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.”
