Betway South Africa’s ongoing community sport upliftment drive made its way to the South African Deaf Football Association (SADFA) in Katlehong, Johannesburg on Thursday to conclude an extraordinary year of making a difference.
Since its inception back in April 2001, SADFA, an associate member of the South African Football Association (SAFA), has been overseeing the development and administration of football for the deaf in South Africa.
Like many self-funded organisations with limited resources and facilities, the association continues to play a crucial role in societies by providing a platform for hard of hearing communities to showcase their football talent through playing, coaching, officiating and administration.
Realising the dire situation the association finds itself in, Betway, through its monthly #BetwayCares drive, donated much-needed high quality soccer boots to the association’s senior national team as it prepares for the 2021 Deaflympics in Brazil.
The special soccer boots donation ceremony was graced by the Betway ambassador, Lucas Radebe, as well as SA u/17women’s national team coach, Simphiwe Dludlu, who shared some encouraging words to the association and its players.
“The work you have been doing as SADFA for the hard of hearing community is truly remarkable. People always say that football is a universal sport but what you as the association have been doing for the past 19 years has indeed been exemplary in affording people who were previously marginalised because of their disability, a fair chance of showcasing their natural talents and abilities,” said Radebe.
The former Bafana Bafana skipper’s words were echoed by Betway Marketing Manager, David Rachidi, who mentioned that it is the brand’s wish to continue to help communities through the #BetwayCares initiatives.
“A pair of boots makes a huge difference in the performance players give on the field of play. We are excited to be able to assist associations such as SADFA who continue to do sterling work in our communities. This is our way of showing that we care,” Rachidi said.
The donation to SADFA comes at the back of three donations made by Betway towards sport organisations in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as part of the brand’s recognition of national disability month during November.
Thanking Betway for the much needed boots was SADFA President, Themba Mashau, saying the assistance from the brand would alleviate a huge financial burden for the association as they prepare for next year’s Deaflympics.
“On behalf of the association and the deaf football family, I would like to extend my gratitude to Betway for this kind and very helpful gesture of donating 70 pairs of soccer boots to our players. Not only has this boosted their confidence, it brings a huge financial relief to our association’s ongoing efforts of affording deaf people an opportunity to showcase their talent. We have also seen the wonderful work Betway has done in other communities and urge them to continue playing this critical role in sport that they have remarkably played in the last three years,” said Mashau.