Lesia Lebatla on mission to revive township football in Thabong

Football fanatic, as he describes himself for his love and passion for football, Lesia Lebatla, a champion of a young dynamite club based in Thabong, Welkom Galaxy Football Club, has harnessed his several years of experience in football to establish his own club.

Lebatla says his love for football instilled him to set his own sights and establish a football club that drives young people to focus in soccer and shift their focus away from the distractions of life, that incorporates of a culture of drug abuse, violence and gangsterism.

“The love of football started at a very young age since I also loved soccer and played one in the township I wouldn’t say I was good but an average player who can do things happen in the field,” he said.

“It’s been a since I’ve started this team with my wife Motlalepule Lebatla,Thabo Masoka,Thabiso Masoka,Daniel Matsididi and papa Mageseng who have helped to build this team from the ground and assisted me with its administration just to name a few,” he adds.

He says that the inspiration behind the formation of the club, is that football has a major role in his heart and that he dreams of a club that can root out from Welkom and be at the helm of the South African football fraternity and to compete in the highly contested leagues.

“The reason I started this club since I said earlier to love of football has always been on me since at a young age and it was easy for this children to capture my desire as they connected with my love for football and that’s how they fell in love with my dream of playing soccer with me, some of them it felt like it’s their second home,” detailed the vision-oriented, Lebatla.

“What motivates me is seeing this young lads longing for sport in a good way and also being happy when they play with others it makes me to push more and work harder as their coach and parent to them,” he added.

When asked of the setback that he encounters in his mentoring role, Lebatla said: “Challenges I’ve faced as a coach is seeing my team dealing with personal matters at their age and some of them I assist where I can assist because of their effort they show and it hurts to see some also struggling financially but I always pray for them that things will do change in the end.”

According to Lebatla, Welkom Galaxy FC has played in numerous tournaments, “but to name a few I would say the Diski Nkuna Tournament is where we are now and also in the MLFA league for under 13,15,17 and 19,” he elaborates.

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Adding more, Lebatla said: “My advice to parents as we have girls on our team I’ve seen that most of them have regained their self confidence and confidence in which I’m happy to have played a role in that as a coach.

Since our country has been struck by this pandemic of gender based violence on women and children it is up to us as men to play a role in the lives of our women and children to be well mannered and caring indiciduals, who take responsibility with their open hands to take care of our society,” he said.

Lebatla has opened up the call for all those who might want to donate or lend a helping hand on anything to please reach out to him on 071 470 8988, alternatively to send him an email at: lesialebatla1@gmail.com.