Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant painted Johannesburg red last weekend – not by partying up a storm, but by speaking to young people of Soweto at the Football Training Centre about HIV/Aids.
The all-star, who visited South Africa with a six-man entourage on Saturday for his first visit to the country, proudly celebrated the completion of Nike’s community training centre, which will be used to improve and help develop soccer talent and promote HIV/Aids education.
Wearing his black and green tracksuit, Kobe Bryant spoke to the young and unexperienced soccer players about “winning, getting the winning edge and about being responsible about their health”.
“While basketball is my chosen sport, I’ve been a football fan all my life. So to be in South Africa for the first time and see how Nike is utilising sport to inspire youth and educate them around HIV/Aids is amazing.It’s crystal clear that this centre will help keep kids out of trouble, improve their game, as well as empower them with the life skills they need to live better and HIV- free,” said Bryant.
The centre, owned by the sportswear giant Nike, plans to offer 20000 budding football players a year the chance to develop their talent while learning about HIV/Aids.
The New York Times reported that Bryant – who is said to be staying in Sandton – flew by helicopter to Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng stadium to watch the US round-of-16 clash against Ghana. Bryant was reportedly disappointed that Ghana won from South Africa 2-1.
“I take it personally when we lose . I wish I could physically be healthy to play in the world games and take the soccer team’s frustration out on these other countries in basketball,” the newspaper quoted the star as saying.
Seruscka Naidoo, communications manager for Nike SA, said: “Bryant is now rooting for the Brazilian team, as he is a firm supporter of the team as well.”
The all-star, who visited South Africa with a six-man entourage on Saturday for his first visit to the country, proudly celebrated the completion of Nike’s community training centre, which will be used to improve and help develop soccer talent and promote HIV/Aids education.
Wearing his black and green tracksuit, Kobe Bryant spoke to the young and unexperienced soccer players about “winning, getting the winning edge and about being responsible about their health”.
“While basketball is my chosen sport, I’ve been a football fan all my life. So to be in South Africa for the first time and see how Nike is utilising sport to inspire youth and educate them around HIV/Aids is amazing.It’s crystal clear that this centre will help keep kids out of trouble, improve their game, as well as empower them with the life skills they need to live better and HIV- free,” said Bryant.
The centre, owned by the sportswear giant Nike, plans to offer 20000 budding football players a year the chance to develop their talent while learning about HIV/Aids.
The New York Times reported that Bryant – who is said to be staying in Sandton – flew by helicopter to Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng stadium to watch the US round-of-16 clash against Ghana. Bryant was reportedly disappointed that Ghana won from South Africa 2-1.
“I take it personally when we lose . I wish I could physically be healthy to play in the world games and take the soccer team’s frustration out on these other countries in basketball,” the newspaper quoted the star as saying.
Seruscka Naidoo, communications manager for Nike SA, said: “Bryant is now rooting for the Brazilian team, as he is a firm supporter of the team as well.”
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