{"id":1131,"date":"2020-02-06T13:04:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T13:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.highveldchronicle.co.za\/wp64\/?p=1131"},"modified":"2020-06-28T01:11:17","modified_gmt":"2020-06-28T01:11:17","slug":"honouring-our-sports-professionals-getting-to-know-lebo-maluleka-mathonsi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.highveldchronicle.co.za\/wp64\/honouring-our-sports-professionals-getting-to-know-lebo-maluleka-mathonsi\/","title":{"rendered":"Honouring our sports professionals – Getting to know Lebo Maluleka Mathonsi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HC<\/strong>: Kindly tell us a bit of background about your sports journey and how you got into soccer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LM<\/strong>: It was not an easy journey at all, but I kept on fighting very hard, losing hope was not an option. I played locally at Amavarara (LFA league) then went to Botleng Arsenal, PJ Starts, and Botleng Classic, where I played SAB League. I had an opportunity to sign with an ABC team from KwaMhlanga (FC Palmeros) then after I joined the project called Nedbank Keyona team search, then I made it and played for Free State Stars where we lost 2-1. After that, I was voted to go trial with Supersport United, but unfortunately, when I got there, after a month I was told they already promoted 2 of their Center backs before I got there, I was very disappointed but I didn’t give up. I went back to my team playing ABC Motsepe from North West stream called Casric FC from the name FC Palmeros, where we qualified for National playoffs, but I experienced another disappointment when Steenberg United beat us 1-0 in the semi-final, but I was lucky enough to be scouted by the Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi, after a discussion with my coaches I went to Galaxy for trials, which this time was successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HC<\/strong>: What sports tournaments have you participated in and how many victories have you achieved?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LM<\/strong>: I played in the Vitrovian tournament which includes the SAB teams to participate, I played 5 times, 3 times champions, then 1 for second place and another one for third place. I also played local tournaments from Delmas, Festive tournament, where I was the best Defender 2 times<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HC<\/strong>: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years in terms of your soccer career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LM<\/strong>: In football, we aim high up to a point where we see ourselves playing at top levels like overseas for big teams, I believe I\u2019m gonna make it to the top level in 5 years if I keep on working very hard, then everything is possible<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HC<\/strong>:  Are there challenges you often face in the sports environment in general?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LM<\/strong>: Yeah sure in Sports there are a lot of challenges we face as soccer players, the mistakes we do on and off the field, sometimes they affect the upcoming young stars since they are looking up to us to learn from us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HC<\/strong>: What has playing soccer taught you and how would you use the lessons to your advantage in the future?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LM<\/strong>: I have learned a lot of things from football especially about life. Sport teaches you to be man enough, to work with people, love people and lastly not to give up. As for my advantage, I\u2019m going to use it in those situations where I need people, (to work with people) in a situation where I need to be strong and also when I should not give up in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HC<\/strong>: What are the possible sports opportunities for people such as you or upcoming professionals?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LM<\/strong>: In sports, there are a lot of opportunities that need to be grabbed with both hands when you get those opportunities. The likes of Trials, Tournaments that have scouts, those are the opportunities we get as footballers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HC<\/strong>: How does growth in sports entail or mean for those who want to make it particularly where you come from?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LM<\/strong>: I think growth means you should work hard as we can see time is not waiting for us, we get old every day, therefore we need to push and push each other to our goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HC<\/strong>: What are your recommendations in sports administration do you have in mind that could help uplift the sports phenomenon?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LM<\/strong>: I think we should keep on working together, keep on making those games so players will get scouted, help young stars to attend the trials wherever there are trials cause it helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HC<\/strong>: What message do you have for the upcoming sports professionals or enthusiasts? LM<\/strong>: Keep on working hard, don’t wish for it but work for it, no hard work no results, you don’t get what you want but you get what you work for, if you fall down just get up, winners never quit, and lastly keep God first, never give up until you get what<\/p>\n\n\n\n