A young footballer's dream takes flight to Spain

Marahzoeq Booi,16, a young football player from Hangberg, boarded a plane to Madrid last night, June 18, marking a significant step towards his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Selected for the Simtour Eagles squad, Marahzoeq will participate in the upcoming Gateway to Madrid 2025 Soccer Tour. 

However, before he could take flight, Marahzoeq faced the challenge of raising over R20 000 to fund the trip.

Following an article published in Sentinel News calling for community support, contributions flooded in, contributing towards securing his spot on the tour ("Help get this Booi to Madrid", Sentinel News, March 21) 

"It’s all he ever wanted to do; that was to play ball since he was young," said his proud mom Roselin Booi.

"He has made the whole community proud already, and now he will go and make us even prouder overseas."

Speaking about Marahzoeq's character, resident and supporter, Edwin Carlisle  said:  "It's very easy to have the talent, but to have the right mindset with it is hard. He always had a great attitude towards life, and that will create many more opportunities for him."

"As he embarks on this exciting journey, the hope is that Marahzoeq's success will not only pave the way for his own future but also inspire other young players within Hangberg to aspire for greatness. The enthusiasm surrounding his departure is a testament to the power of community and the commitment to fostering talent in local youth," he said.

Supporters left the airport in high spirits after watching their home-grown star leave to shine on the international stage.