 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
Yellowknife cab driver takes soccer jerseys Africa
Overlander Sports and taxi driver join forces to donate 45 jerseys to underprivileged youth in ZimbabweKevin Allerston Northern News Services Published Thursday, November 10, 2011
Living in Yellowknife in 2004, taxi driver Edward Torindo was planning a trip back to his home country of Zimbabwe last spring when he ran into a bit of good luck: soccer jerseys that he could bring along with him. Torindo and Overlander Sports teamed up in the spring to donate soccer jerseys to a soccer academy in Zimbabwe. Bill Stirling, owner of Overlander Sports, said the situation came about by accident. "We actually got a local school contract for some jerseys, and when the jerseys came in, a lot of them were just way to small for the kids, so we ended up having to replace them," Stirling said. "So, I heard (Edward) was going back home to Zimbabwe and I looked at all these jerseys and we didn't want to throw them out, (we wanted to) make use of them ... and that's pretty much how it came about. Torindo is originally from Mutare in eastern Zimbabwe and is considered a soccer legend in Africa, having played for CAPS United as a defender, among many other teams. At the end of April, he travelled to Highfield, Zimbabwe's Highfield Soccer Academy with 45 jerseys valued at approximately $1,500 with help from Overlander Sports and returned to Yellowknife last month. In Highfield, Zimbabwe, and many other parts of the country, it is common for people to play soccer in barefeet and without jerseys. "It's super important. I mean, the kids don't even have shoes to wear ... they don't receive any funding or money," said Stirling. "So the kids were really appreciative, despite the fact it doesn't have their club name on it or anything else. It's super important to them," said Stirling. "The reaction was really interesting," said Torindo. "When I came with the jerseys, they knew they were coming, but that day they didn't expect the jerseys," said Torindo. "So there was a lot of excitement, but they were all composed." He said he was impressed by their abilities, noting that one has been contacted by a club in Spain to play with there. "They had been working with soccer for a long time ... The way they play, the way they pass the ball, the way they move, they have a lot of skill," said Torindo. He said he would like to donate more to help out the academy, like shoes. For Torindo, it is about having a positive environment for kids to develop. "Mainly it's what you don't do when you're not playing soccer. When you are out of school, what are you doing? Are you hanging around the streets? Are you studying or are you going for a job? Usually there's no jobs in my country. So, this way, they stay out of trouble," said Torindo. He said the Highfield Soccer Academy caters to 65 players ranging in age from 12 to 20. These jerseys went to the age 14 and under players. He said he is thinking of working with Yellowknife schools to set up soccer programs, though he hasn't spoken with the boards yet. He is also in talks with the Highfield Soccer Academy to do more. "They are asking me to become a part of the institution for the academy so that we can try and make it grow," said Torindo.
|
