Sundowns Takes Ubuntu To Florida: Football Clinic In Fort Lauderdale

Sundowns Takes Ubuntu To Florida:

Football Clinic In Fort Lauderdale

Author: NJ Hove

The historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025 presented a powerful platform for Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club to demonstrate not only its footballing excellence but also its deeper identity as a purpose-driven Club with a vision that extends far beyond the touchline.

In the build-up to the global tournament, Sundowns hosted a landmark youth coaching clinic in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in partnership with Roc Nation Sports International. The initiative formed part of the Club’s broader off-the-pitch strategy to extend its reach, tell its story, and deliver meaningful social impact in communities that need it most.

More than 50 children from the local Fort Lauderdale (Florida) community took part in the clinic, engaging in football training, life skills activities, and interpersonal exchanges with some of the iconic figures from Sundowns’ legacy. Directed by Head of Academy and Coaching Paulo Cardoso, the initiative was led by Club Chairman Tlhopie Motsepe who was part of the training sessions with legends including Hlompho Kekana, Teko Modise, Tiyani Mabunda and DJ Naves.

“This was more than just a clinic. It was a moment to connect, inspire and give back,” said Tlhopi Motsepe. “At Sundowns, we believe in a dual approach: our on-field achievements must be matched by our off-field contributions. Football is the language, but our message is about unity, purpose and building a legacy that transcends sport.”

The event was not just an activation but a strategic expression of the Club’s identity: African, ambitious and impact-led. It is this unique identity that continues to shape Sundowns’ evolution from a domestic powerhouse into a globally relevant Club rooted in Ubuntu and excellence.

“We always envisioned Sundowns as a global brand,” said Hlompho Kekana. “Going to communities like this, engaging with kids who do not often get these chances. It is how we share who we are. It took me back to my childhood. Every kid wants to feel seen, and that’s what we gave them: joy, recognition, and hope.”

Paulo Cardoso echoed this sentiment, explaining that while the focus was on football, the goal was emotional transformation. “At this stage of life, what matters is the emotion we provoke. The feeling they go home with is what makes it unforgettable. That is impact.”

The collaboration with Roc Nation Sports International reflects the Club’s belief in high-impact, cross-sector partnerships. “These kids got to be part of something extraordinary,” said Roc Nation Sports International President Michael Yormark. “They met legends, were coached by the best. It is something they’ll never forget.”
By intentionally aligning its global football strategy with measurable social interventions, Sundowns is redefining what it means to be a modern football Club. The coaching clinic in Fort Lauderdale has been catalogued as a key initiative within its off-the-pitch impact portfolio, forming part of the Club’s strategic narrative as it competes on the world stage.

As one of the only four African teams at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup it was imperative to bring a full community engagement programme to international soil. Mamelodi Sundowns continues to pioneer a model where football is more than performance but of purpose.

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