Göteborgsposten, 19th July 2016
GOTHIA CUP The Rainbow Team from Cape Town – which was created with the sole aim to play at the Gothia Cup – is a reflection of its home city. “We provide youth from different backgrounds and cultures with the chance to play together and get to know each other”, says coach Anees Abbas to GP (The Gothenburg Post).
During Gothia Cup week Gothenburg is buzzing with young football players from all over the world. 40 000 young players with different backgrounds and circumstances play on 105 pitches all over the city.
One team which symbolises the ethos of the tournament is the Rainbow Team from South Africa, which plays in the “boys 14” group. The team reflects the diversity of Cape Town with players from different ethnic, social and economic backgrounds.
The project was started by destination manager Pernilla Landstedt, who has lived in Cape Town with her family for the last 20 years. It was her son Jojo’s wish to play at the Gothia Cup, which planted the seed for the Rainbow Team.
– He was desperate to play at the Gothia Cup, but not many South African teams have that opportunity. So I tried to find a South African twist, says Pernilla Landstedt.
She investigated the possibility to put together a local team with boys from different areas of Cape Town. Thanks to her professional contacts she managed to get together a number of individuals and companies, which promised to sponsor a part of the team.
– The families who can afford it pay themselves, and our sponsors pay the rest, she explains.
The dream of going to the Gothia Cup finally came true last year, and the positive reactions from the boys, their parents and the coaches made Pernilla Landstedt decide to continue with the project this year.
– “The feeling of community is the most important. At the club we are all friends and we hug and socialise across social boundaries that might otherwise separate us, no matter which religion, skin colour or ethnic group we belong to,” she says.
Coach Anees Abbas picks players from different teams and clubs around Cape Town. The Rainbow Team represents the whole city and the selection is not only based on skills but also with a focus on diversity.
The team still has ambitions, however. Last year, the team qualified past the group stage but lost during the first knock-out round so this year, both the coach and the players aim higher.
– “This year we have a stronger team which has played more together. The boys are working hard. I think there is a chance we might reach the final and win it,” says Anees Abbas.
Defender Jordan Arelisky agrees.
– “I think we can win the trophy. That is our goal. I think our team has got a lot of talent and huge potential”.
What is it like to be part of The Rainbow Team?
– “It is a huge honour to be chosen to play on this team. Not many get that kind of opportunity. This team is very close to my heart and makes me happy,” says Arelisky.
On the gate next to the pitch is a banner with an image of a smiling Nelson Mandela.
Assisting coach Waleed Abrahams points at Mandela and says
– He is there in every match and a huge source of inspiration to us. He is our 12th player.
Big picture Caption: (Zube in focus)
Eyes set on the final. Coaches Waleed Abrahams and Anees Abbas aim at Gothia gold. In their first match, the team beat Essinge from Stockholm 5-0. On the large image: Rainbow Team’s Zube Mshweshwe.
The question of the day at Gothia:
Vox pop: Have you found any Pokémon at the Gothia Cup?
Jordan Arelisky, 14, South Africa:
I play Pokémon Go and there are some checkpoints at the school, but not so many Pokémon’s, which is frustrating.
Do your team mates play?
Not so many have downloaded it, but everybody is watching when we who have it are playing.
Small picture of Pernilla in text: (Pernilla Landstedt initiator of the project)
The families who can afford it pay themselves, and our sponsors pay the rest, she explains.