Becoming a professional athlete is probably the greatest achievement for any sports lover. This is for the simple reason that there are so many benefits that come along with the role, from money to fame, not to mention the endless amounts of sponsorship opportunities that come your way.
However, many athletes dread the day when all of these opportunities become less as a result of retirement.
Former Banyana Banyana soccer player Portia Modise has recently opened up about some of the struggles that retired footballers face once they hang up their boots.
Daily Sun reported that Portia attended an event by the WomenCan initiave where she was honoured with a, The Voice Award.
View this post on Instagram
The event took place on the last day of women’s month in Midrand and she was recognised for her contributions in using her platform to uplift others and advocating for things people face in their communities.
In addressing those in attendance, she highlighted why she decided to start her foundation, revealing that it was to help upcoming footballers in communities to discover their talents.
“After football, people forget you ever existed. My foundation is also a second home for women footballers who need assistance. My doors are always open for them because I realised that after football, we don’t have a place to go. Once you stop, you are forgotten,” she said.
She claims that the biggest cause of footballers struggling after retiring from the game is that they don’t invest in themselves.
Her advice to the current generation is to invest in themselves now, while they are still at the top of their game, by furthering their education.
“After football, it’s not guaranteed that everyone will be a professional coach. We all need something we can fall back on when we retire.”
Also see: Ex-Banyana footballer Portia Modise shares how she escaped substance abuse
