Sport Stepping Stones kids playing soccer Photo Sport Stepping Stones
Western Cape – Sport Stepping Stones (SSS) may have started off small but its founder is aiming for great things. From hosting tournaments in South Africa, he is now determined to get his boys to play one in Palestine.
Abubakr “Boebie” Cassiem, founder of Sport Stepping Stones, started the Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) as a guide to help kids out of tough situations. To him, it was a stepping stone to show kids how to reach a better future.
“It is a programme I wrote about sports against crime, and it developed into this big thing. I then found a better name for it, Sport Stepping Stones, to give the kids from the bad communities a stepping stone in their life. Just to give them a better life, a good job and get them out of the slums.”
The organisation does more than have kids playing sport. Cassiem recognised that kids need to be energised and fed to be able to play sports. It was for this reason he also started a feeding scheme.
“The foundation itself is not only sports. It’s also where we provide underprivileged people in our communities, especially the vulnerable communities, where we go out and provide food to these youngsters. You cannot play sports on an empty stomach. That’s the reason why we started the foundation also. To serve the young and the old people in these communities.”
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Sport Stepping Stones is more than just about sports
Although the name doesn’t imply it, the organisation is more than just about sports. Cassiem created the organisation to teach kids how to attain a better life. Through sports they wanted to teach kids that. Everyone dreams of being a footballer but if that should fail, there are second options.
“Every child’s dream when they play sports is to become a national player but not everyone makes it. A lot of us don’t make it. What happens then? That’s why we came up with Sport Stepping Stones. Even if you don’t make it as a professional, there’s always the [plan] B in your life. We decided to use the B more than what we use the A. The B is to provide more people with the opportunity to get out of the bad areas.”
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The reason for picking Palestine
There are many countries Cassiem could have picked to go to. Many European nations who kids love to watch. Instead, he chose Palestine for the most beautiful reason one could pick, to bring some sort of happiness to the lives of the kids there.
“I had a dream 17 years ago to go to Palestine. The dream was to take coaches and people to Palestine. Whenever you see a picture of a child in Palestine you see tears, you see blood, you see children with stones in their hands. When are they going to have a smile on their face? When are they really going to interact with others and get an understanding of what is freedom and what is life? That was my dream 17 years ago.”
Cassiem worked with the late Moulana Ihsaan Hendricks to make this dream a reality. He is now very close to doing that.
The reason for taking an under 13’s team to Palestine
Four years ago, Cassiem brought an under 18’s team from Palestine to the Western Cape for a tournament. Now he feels that he needs to take a team to Palestine in return. The reason for taking such a young team is because he believes the youth are the future. In order for them to have a good future, they needed to be guided rightly.
“I believe our future lies in the hands of our youth, but we must direct and guide the youth properly. That’s the reason why I’m taking an underprivileged under 13’s team to Palestine. They can learn what’s happening there, see what is happening there and network with those youngsters. They must come back as ambassadors and speak about Palestine. Who better to speak to the youth than the youth themselves? This is what this programme is about.”
Cassiem and his teamleave from Johannesburg on 11 July. The government has partnered with them, paying for their tickets to and from Palestine. Sponsors willing to aid the team with their travel needs can get in touch with Salaamedia.
