A 10-year-old Belgravia boy has a chance to play in a soccer tournament in Malaysia, but he needs help getting there.
Sunnyside Primary School pupil Jawaad Simpson, 10, started playing soccer for West End United last year. He and his three brothers all play for the same club, and their mother, Aaliyah Touw, is their biggest cheerleader.
Jawaad, who plays under-10 as a centre-back, was selected through his school to try out for the Metro Central District Education District Football Team, which will be competing in the KL Invitational Cup 2023, in Kuala Lumpur, later this year
Jawaad is set to leave Cape Town on Friday December 1, but he needs R36 000 by November to get there, according to Ms Touw.
The money includes Jawaad’s air ticket, transfers from the airport, kit, accommodation, tournament fees, and excursions, according to the school’s secretary, Tarin Hans.
Ms Touw said she had started selling cake, hot dogs and boerewors rolls, and planned to hold fund-raisers to raise money to get Jawaad to what she said was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“We never had these opportunities as kids. He just loves soccer. When we get home from the field on a Saturday, we have a whole discussion of the whole day’s matches and how everyone played. We are so grateful for the opportunity,” she said.
“This is a huge achievement and I am their biggest supporter. This is a great opportunity for him to go. He is generally a very quiet child who keeps to himself, but he enjoys playing soccer and being with his team. He knows how to adapt himself in different environments. He is a very good academic so he really deserves this opportunity. He is always working so hard. This means a lot to us; I am very emotional.”
Jawaad said: “I am super excited because I never thought that this opportunity would come to me at the age of 10. I get inspired when watching professional soccer on the TV and that is where I see myself one day. I feel I can play soccer every day.”
Jawaad’s coach, Aidan Philander, said Jawaad showed a lot of talent and did not shy away from a challenge.
“Jawaad plays in defence, and despite being one of the shortest players in his team, you can expect him to come out on top in every challenge on the field. He steps onto the field and plays his game. He is a well-mannered and respectful young boy that with hard work and dedication will go very far in this sport.
“This is also a very big opportunity for Jawaad and West End as not many young footballers get this kind of exposure. I am very proud of him and wish him all the best on his journey.”
The family have also started a BackaBuddy fund-raiser. For more information or to assist, call Aaliyah Touw at 062 951 7615.
