EFA STEPS UP TO PUT SHOES ON CHILDREN’S FEET THROUGH LEGENDS CUP PARTNERSHIP
In a powerful demonstration that football can change lives beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has committed E20,000 towards providing quality school shoes for vulnerable children through the Donate a Pair Campaign, an initiative spearheaded by the Humanitarian Care Initiative ahead of this year’s Legends Cup.
The contribution forms part of the EFA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme and reinforces the Association’s belief that football should serve as a catalyst for social development, community empowerment and hope.
The donation will provide quality school shoes for destitute and needy children across Eswatini, with the beneficiaries equally divided between boys and girls. Beyond protecting children’s feet, the initiative seeks to restore dignity, boost learners’ confidence and encourage regular school attendance.
Announcing the donation, EFA General Secretary Mr Frederick Mngomezulu described the partnership as a natural extension of the Association’s commitment to making a positive impact in communities.
“As a football association, we decided that we can forge a partnership and join hands with the Humanitarian Care Initiative, whose mission is to support destitute and needy children,” said Mr Mngomezulu.
He said football possesses a unique ability to unite people around meaningful causes and that the Association was proud to use the sport as a vehicle to improve lives beyond the football field.
In addition to supporting the campaign financially, the EFA will also participate in the Legends Cup by entering its own team, demonstrating that the Association is fully embracing the spirit of the initiative.
“Because this is the Legends Cup, we are also going to provide our own team as part of the participation criteria for this noble initiative,” he added.
Mr Mngomezulu applauded the organisers for creating a tournament that blends football with compassion, saying such initiatives demonstrate how sport can become a force for positive social transformation.
The Legends Cup Organising Committee welcomed the partnership, describing the EFA’s contribution as a significant boost to the campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Mr Nkosilenhle Masuku thanked the Association for answering the call to support vulnerable children.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Eswatini Football Association for this generous gesture. This support will go a long way in giving vulnerable children hope and a brighter future,” he said.
He encouraged football supporters, businesses and members of the public to embrace the campaign’s message by donating pairs of school shoes during the tournament under the inspiring slogan, “Let’s Shoe Their Walk.”
The Legends Cup will be held on 15 and 16 August 2026 at the King Sobhuza II Stadium in Nhlangano, where football legends, corporate organisations and supporters will unite for a cause that extends far beyond competition.
Supporters attending the event are encouraged to bring new or gently used pairs of school shoes, ensuring that more children benefit from the campaign.
The EFA’s involvement reflects a growing recognition that football organisations have a responsibility not only to develop the game but also to contribute to the well-being of society. By investing in children’s education and welfare, the Association continues to demonstrate that football can inspire hope, create opportunities and leave a lasting impact in communities across Eswatini.
As the countdown to the Legends Cup continues, the message is clear: every donated pair of shoes represents more than footwear—it represents dignity, opportunity and a brighter future for a child in need.
The Eswatini Football Association remains committed to using the power of football to make a positive impact in communities and improve the lives of vulnerable children across the Kingdom.