Sparta Tacoma Coach Keith Beasinger recently traveled on a mission trip to Malawi, South Africa. While he was there, they were holding their own local “World Cup” games with more than 5,000 spectators! Coach Keith had the honor and privilege of being the grandmaster for the championship game and shared these photos with us.

“The entire Malawi region has multiple strong teams which play until the top two teams are left. The speed and abilities on the pitch were impressive. Many of the young men were wearing the cleats that our Sparta parents donated last summer, and one of the teams was wearing the soccer uniforms from a high school I coached in the past who also donated. There were well over 5,000 spectators there, many who had walked many miles to come watch. Seeing a goalkeeper in the championship have to play the game without gloves because his gloves were completely worn out really broke my heart. The game was wonderful and so were the people. Malawi is called the warm heart of Africa, and after having visited there, I now understand why! A part of my heart is still there.” – Coach Keith

Thank you Coach Keith for everything you do for the game of soccer, and the youth who love to play it. You are an inspiration to the rest of us!

*Parents and players, if you have gently used or new cleats, uniforms, keeper gloves, etc., that you would like to pass along to the players of Malawi, please let us know and we will connect you with Coach Keith!

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