Support Bo Kaap juniors on their first football tour to PE

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Football Club Bo Kaap (FCBK) is planning its first-ever football tour for young players, as part of its goal to support and uplift local youth through sport.

Next month, FCBK aims to participate in the Gqeberha Saints Football Club Night Day Tournament in Port Elizabeth, taking place from Monday, July 14 to Saturday, July 19.

Started in 2015 by football enthusiasts from Bo Kaap, the club has worked to keep children engaged and away from the social ills troubling many South African neighbourhoods.

Junior chairperson Yaseen Ajam, a proud resident of Bo Kaap, said that the foundation of FCBK is built on community spirit and inclusivity.

"The club was always a home for players, and this true community spirit runs through us; that is what we build off from as a club," Mr Ajam said.

As the club celebrates a decade of achievements, the upcoming youth tour promises to be a memorable experience for its U10 and U12 age groups.

"We have been through a lot as a club, but most importantly, we stuck together and always made it about the children," Mr Ajam said.

"This tour is another example of how we would like to give our juniors a different experience that can go on to help them in the future."

Club chairman Yazeed Samsodien highlighted the club’s dedication to junior development, aiming to provide crucial platforms for young players to flourish.

Many of the current management at the club are also following in the footsteps of their fathers and family members, who represented the old club back in the day.

"We learnt a lot from these people, who went out of their way to get us to tournaments and games, and when we were in the position, we wanted to do the same for our kids," Mr Samsodien said.

To make the tour a reality, FCBK is launching a series of fundraising efforts to cover accommodation, travel, and tournament fees.

"We would like to do everything we can to come up with funds because we have kids who might not be able to afford this trip. We want all of them to experience this opportunity," Mr Samsodien said.

The tour will not only provide competitive football but also the chance to explore what Port Elizabeth has to offer.

"This will be the first time many of them go on a tour, and for some, it's their first time leaving Cape Town, so it's really about giving them an experience above everything else," he said.

Anyone interested in assisting FCBK can contact Yaseen Ajam at 067 753 9586 or via email at excofcbk@gmail.com