Creating Champions

Reitumetse Tlopo, Lesotho

Kick4Life F.C is a purpose-driven football club based at the Stadium of Life in Lesotho, engaging young people in interventions across health, education, employability, gender equality and climate action. The organisation also offers employment and training opportunities within their social enterprises, which include an award-winning restaurant and hotel. The Kick4Life women's team became national champions in 2021 and plays an important role in changing attitudes about the role of women and girls in society, on and off the pitch. Through Kick4Life Assist they have also provided coach training, curriculum design and social enterprise development support to other organisations across the world. Reitumetse Tlopo is an amateur player and formerly the Media Officer at Kick4Life.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?

I am Reitumetse Tlopo, an amateur footballer and a football fan - my favourite football club is Tottenham Hotspur. I was the Media Officer at Kick4Life but have a new job now.

I now work as a Communications and Visibility Advisor, providing technical expertise to the Government of Lesotho in the implementation of its European Union and German Government donor funded programme. Here I work closely with government ministries and other stakeholders.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

The photos portray young boys and girls playing football. The photos were taken in different communities - Ha-Mabote in Berea, Qoaling village, and at the Kick4Life Centre. The photos showcase a diversity of participants, from those directly benefiting as Kick4Life participants to others who are not directly involved. With those who are involved, they visit the Kick4Life Centre to play football and participate in life skills programs.

These photos showcase how football can unify people, irrespective of their backgrounds. Football remains the most popular sport, not only in my community but around the world. On weekends, youths, elders, men and women gather with joy and pride at the community football ground to cheer for their teams. Despite the results, everyone leaves the ground with a refreshed mind. Fans and supporters from different teams often meet after the match to share laughter. 

One photo shows young boys from a remote area enjoying their football session together. One is barefoot but it is interesting to see the level of interaction between them all regardless of their backgrounds. 

Lastly, Kabelo Ngatane is a Kick4Life Academy player who worked his way up into the academy structures since 2014. He worked so hard to get to where he is today. 

What impact has Kick4Life had on you?

Being involved with Kick4Life has been a turning point into how I assess life. The community projects helped me to appreciate what I have in life. Interacting with participants from different and humble backgrounds instilled a sense of fellowship in my life. 

Kick4Life community projects create champions within communities and nurture young people through life skills development, such as developing strong self-esteem. The projects also offer a safe space for participants to express their opinions, share their experiences and advise each other. 

What does football mean to you and your community? 

To me football means my happy space. I grew up playing football, it has always been my happy place. Whether I am in the field of play or off the pitch, just being involved in football activity makes me happy. This is where I am able to express myself and recharge the mind.

Football is a unifying factor in my community as well as in the country. In my community, women and girls are allowed to express themselves in the field of play. 

What is the future of football in Lesotho?

Football in Lesotho is still largely at amateur level and there is hope for improvement. Football in Lesotho can be improved through better infrastructure and administration support. Playgrounds need to be improved, even with just basic ground levelling. If more financial support can be pumped into football, this will surely improve the standard of the sport in Lesotho.