A 14-year-old Kewtown girl has the opportunity to play soccer in Spain, but she needs help getting there.
Imaan Alcock still needs R5000 to experience her dream of playing soccer abroad with her family having raised R42 000 so far through various fund-raisers, including selling food on weekends and running soccer tournaments, says her dad, Aqeel Alcock.
After participating in try-outs last year, Imaan was selected by the BT Football academy to join its 11-member squad for Spain. The players are set to leave Cape Town on Saturday April 27.
Imaan’s mother, Munaaz Alcock, said donations could be made into her daughter’s bank account. If all the money needed for the trip was not raised, whatever donations had been made would be refunded, she said.
The BT Football players would compete in five games against Spanish clubs in Madrid and Málaga and get coached by coaches accredited with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), said BT founder Brandon Timmy.
Imaan started playing soccer when she was 6, according to Mr Alcock, who is himself a former soccer player. He said he wanted to see his daughter take advantage of opportunities he never had when he was growing up because she had plenty of potential and the right attitude both on and off the field.
“We always remind her about the necessary stuff and to keep her mind positive at all times. We want her to achieve her goals.”
Imaan, who plays in the centre-back, midfielder and right-back positions, said she hoped to achieve her goals and be an example to other young people in her community.
“There isn’t enough support for opportunities for youth in my area especially the girls – we don’t get seen.”
Mr Timmy said the trip was a chance for players to be scouted abroad.
“The objective is for them to be scouted. We create a platform, and it’s for them to do their best on the pitch… We believe that these girls have the qualities to play at a high level. Imaan is a good player with lots of potential. She knows what to do when she has the ball. This tour will definitely benefit her soccer career. We are hopeful that the girls will be scouted and that they will do very well.”
Call Munaaz Alcock at 082 314 7520 if you want to help.