Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana will be using his off-season to recover from his hamstring injury and to give back to the community.
The Grant Kekana Foundation will be hosting a Golf Day fundraiser initiative this weekend. It will be hosted at the prestigious Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate, in Modimolle, Limpopo on June 15.
As Kekana continues to excel in his football career with Sundowns and the national team, he is equally passionate about youth development and giving back to the community.
Breaking barriers
Mentioning the name “Grant Kekana” in a sentence, one would automatically think football. However, the Sundowns defender is breaking barriers. He is introducing “rich people” sporting codes to underprivileged communities.
Previously, Kekana, 31, hosted a tennis tournament. He is now taking it to a whole new level by using golf to raise funds.
“I think from our side, golf is also a platform for them [children] to explore. Because we don’t restrict our foundation primarily just on football. We try and accommodate all sporting codes,” Kekana said in an interview with Sunday World.
“My biggest thing for the foundation, the end goal, is to obviously have my own academy. This because I grew up in an institution where the academy had all sporting codes. And that’s the bigger vision.
“That’s why we’ll never be restricted to just one sport. So that’s another driving factor behind it.”
Kekana emphasised the importance of having more footballers involved in initiatives outside of football.
Importance of giving back
“It’s important for us [footballers] to play a role in having the second and third generation having an influence. This in terms of making sure that we give them the right platform, the right opportunity. Because for us to be where we are, somebody gave us a chance,” Kekana said.
“Those before us risked their work to give us a chance. So once we’re in a position of privilege, I just think it’s the right thing to do. To try and give back and play your part, no matter how small it is.”
Individuals and businesses interested in supporting The Grant Kekana Foundation’s Golf Day fundraiser can participate. They can do so as players, sponsors, or donors. This by purchasing gold (R200,000), silver (100,000) and bronze (50, 000) sponsorship branding and exposure on the day.
