Since 2005, this South African Football Association (SAFA) endorsed initiative has impacted the lives of over 400 underprivileged South African boys between the ages of 10 and 16 years. Metcash, in partnership with consumer products producer Reckitt Benckiser, have afforded 24 of these talented student-athletes world class training at the Sao Paulo Futebol Academy (SPFA) in Brazil. Tyroane Sandows, selected in 2006, has continued to train in Brazil with SPFA, competing in the prestigous Danone Under-12 International Soccer Championships.
Youth selected from the nationwide competition entered by SMSing a number on specially marked products sold exclusively in Metcash stores. They will participate in a week-long life skills and football clinic at Johannesburg's SAFA Transnet School of Excellence. With the recent announcement of a partnership with the SPFA continuing for next year, a total of 60 youths will be selected to train with the Brazilians' development program.
Metcash's Brian Joseph and Roberto Funari of Reckitt Benckiser founded the Shona Khona project to address the developmental needs of South African youth football players, filling a void in many communities throughout the country. This business partnership and marketing initiative will continue until 2010.
The next Shona Khona competition will launch in October 2008, for more details visit your local Metcash retailer or www.metcash.co.za.
