On Friday, 23 September 2022, the Brixton Multipurpose Centre was alive with excitement, smiles, and joy as a culture of combating homophobia in football was fostered. “It’s fantastic that we’re hosting these games; gatherings like these bring the community together and highlight the notion that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity should never be a barrier to participating in and enjoying football,” said Roché Kester, a representative of Gauteng’s LGBTQI Desk.

​Phuti Lekoloane, the founder of the Phuti Lekoloane Foundation and footballer Phuti Minaj launched the LGBTQI Legacy Games in 2020. The games are held each year at Mayibuye Township, Ward 110, Johannesburg Region A.

The foundation strives to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sports while also eliminating some of the hurdles LGBTQI young people experience. It focuses on LGBTQI awareness as a foundation for individual and community development.“We intend to use this platform to educate and enlighten people about inclusion and equality. We urge people to recognise that football has no boundaries and should bea game for everyone.

“Our goal is to stage a successful, safe, and secure third edition of the Legacy Games that leave a legacy for the whole South African queer community while also maximising possibilities before, during, and after the games,” said Lekoloane.

His experience inspired the idea of staging a football tournament to raise awareness and educate about issues of prejudice and rejection of LGBTQI sportspeople as well as to create a safe environment for queer footballers.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this tournament because it promotes awareness, coexistence, and respect among the human race; as the City of Joburg, we are at the forefront of being exemplary because we are a caring city,” said Mandla Mahlangu, the Assistant Director for Sport and Recreation in Region A.

Written by Ntombifuthi Junerose Nkosi

24/09/2022