Kabelo to begin scholarship in the USA
Kick4Life has secured an international scholarship for another student athlete, as Kabelo Ngatane prepares for a move to the University of Indianapolis in the United States, where he will study Pharmacy, alongside playing soccer, on a four year course.
The 18-year-old from Ha Abia joined Kick4Life in 2013 at the age of eight, and has advanced through the Kick4Life Academy, accessing football coaching, academic tutoring and life-skills sessions. This structure is designed to prepare students, such as Kabelo, to thrive in all areas of a scholarship - in the classroom, on the pitch and in their wider lives in a new country.
Earlier this year, Kabelo was announced as one of the LGCSE top 10 students, saying it was through hard work and dedication that he achieved such a high grade, whilst on the pitch, since joining the Academy, Kabelo has been called up for several national squads, including the Lesotho Under 17 Team in 2020, where he was made captain of the team, and the National Under 20 team in 2021.
At a press conference to announce the scholarship, Kabelo's parents expressed their pride in him and advised him to keep on working hard to make his former school, Kick4Life, Lesotho and Africa proud. His Mother, Mrs. ‘Mathabiso Ngatane, said: 'We thank the presence of Kick4Life in Lesotho because it is changing the lives of Basotho and because our child is also a beneficiary of this initiative."
Kick4Life's Head Coach of the Academy, Mukete Mboh, emphasised the leadership qualities of Kabelo, and stated that he possesses a very positive character, encouraging him to uphold this trait as it will elevate him in life. Kabelo's former chemistry teacher at Thetsane High School, Mr Nku, added that Kick4Life, and students such as Kabelo, have proven to the society, beyond reasonable doubt, that academics and sports can go together, which is the mission of Kick4Life to bind these two aspects together while upholding a positive character.
Kabelo Ngatane, expressed his gratitude to Kick4Life, and thanked the Academy staff for turning his dream into reality, for believing in him and for unleashing the potential within him: "I make a vow today, before you all, that I will embody the values that Kick4Life, Thetsane High School and my parents have taught me and I will make all of you proud."
Kick4Life's Country Director, Motlatsi Nkhahle, stated that Kick4Life is proud of Kabelo, adding that, in the history of Kick4Life, Kabelo is the first student-athlete for whom one of the potential schools in the US was willing to travel to Lesotho to watch play. He stated this was a demonstration of Kabelo's excellent potential, and he wished the student well in his adventure to the United States.
