rs nws soccer Marahzoek Booi is looking to head to Madrid, but needs help in raising the funds required to do so.
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A rising 16-year-old Hangberg football star needs help to board a plane to Madrid as part of the soccer tour that could become life-changing.
Marahzoeq Booi has been selected as part of the Simtour Eagles squad to travel to Madrid in June to compete in the upcoming Gateway to Madrid 2025 Soccer Tour to Spain, but he still needs more than R20 000 to make the cut.
His proud mother, Roselin Booi, said it's an amazing opportunity for her son to travel abroad and play the game he has always loved.
"When he was younger, I bought him a ball and he used to play all by himself on the field and he was convinced that one day he was going to be a football player," Roselin said.
Marahzoeq, a Liverpool and Orlando Pirates supporter, grew up in Hangberg and started playing for the Battswood Football Club at the Cape District Football Association. The speedy right winger attends Sea Point High School, but was later spotted by the Simtour Eagles, who quickly drafted the nippy winger into the squad.
"I am so happy and excited for him, we have been praying for an opportunity for him for very long and this will be amazing for him," Roselin said.
The family has since raised almost R15 000 on their own to contribute toward his trip, but they need a total of R48 500 to cover accommodation, airfare, meals, kit and entry to the tournament in Madrid. The team will also have the opportunity to visit either the Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid or one of the world's most modern stadiums, the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, home of Athletico Madrid.
Marahzoeq said: "I really want this opportunity because it's my dream to become a footballer one day, so that I can help my family and play around the world."
rs nws soccer 2 Marahzoeq Booi has an opportunity to play in the Gateway to Madrid 2025 Soccer Tour in Spain, coming in June this year.
Image: By Supplied
Sim Tours confirmed via an official letter: "We are delighted to confirm that Marahzoeq Booi has been registered to participate in our upcoming Gateway to Madrid 2025 Soccer Tour to Spain."
"It would be an opportunity for himself and other talented individuals to experience the Spanish football culture and compete in an international football tournament," the letter read.
Sim Tours are recognised as the only FIFA Match Agency in South Africa offering international tours of the highest calibre as well as domestic training camps with professional clubs and coaches from around the world.
They have already taken hundreds of players across the globe, participating in tournaments and touring places such as Paris, Manchester, United Kingdom, Dubai, Holland and much more.
"Sim Tours also provides pathways for our Sim Tour EAGLES with our club partners across the globe in the UAE as well as Feyenoord Rotterdam. Our mission and accomplishment is, has been and will always be, to create experiences that last a lifetime," Sim Tours said in their official request for sponsorship letter.
The tour is set to take place from 18 to 27 June this year.
To find out more about the tour, visit www.simtours.co.za or if you wish to contribute towards Marahzoeq tour, contact Roselin on 073 976 3141.