LITTLE Ayush Athmaram of Whetstone, Phoenix only started playing soccer four years ago and he has already set a new record for the Forest Haven sporting club by scoring the most goals by a single player in a match in their 39 years of existence.
The seven-year old scored a whopping eight goals in a league game (under-seven division) against Woodview United at Woodview Grounds in Forestwood Gardens securing a 11-0 win for his team.
Ayush said: “I learnt how to play by watching soccer matches in the English Premier League and YouTube videos. I play as a striker and I love scoring goals.
“At the time I did not know I set a record until my coach made my mum aware that I broke the club record. I scored eight goals and was very excited.”
Ayush said that he was grateful to his coach Nitesh and Cristiano Ronaldo for being his inspiration.
He said: “My favorite soccer player is Cristiano Ronaldo and I support Manchester United.”
The grade two pupil of Highstone Primary School said that he wants to be a professional soccer player when he is older and he also enjoys fishing with his dad Ajay when he’s not playing soccer.
His mum Lovania Athmaram, who works as a Holiday Rentals Manager said: “Ayush started watching soccer from around 2020. He would play around at home and started taking more interest in the game as time progressed. He then started watching training videos and training on his own and I guess the passion for the game kicked in.”
She added that he only joined Forest Haven Sporting Club in April 2024 when they were introduced to the club by a family member.
“Currently no one in the family plays soccer but we did have family members play in the past for other clubs. Ayush trains once or twice a week with his club and trains himself at home,” said the 38-year-old.
Either myself or his dad takes him to practice. His matches are played almost every Saturday. My husband and I attend every game possible.“
She added that they also have two daughters, who do not play soccer but love Arts and crafts and they are both Ayush’s biggest fans.
She said that she was both excited and emotional when he set a new record.
“It all felt surreal, Ayush’s skill and knowledge of the game amazes us. According to his coach he has raw football talent and great passion for the game,” said Lovania.
Ayush and his team are currently playing in the league which is run by the Phoenix Local Football Association (under the South African Football Association).
His mum said that they are expecting a great performance from Ayush and his team during this season.
She said, “We would like to thank the Forest Haven Sporting Club and coaches for their hard work and dedication towards coaching and mentoring these kids.”
Lloyd Govender, the secretary of the soccer club said, “This season Ayush has scored 30 Goals in 12 matches for Forest Haven Sporting Club in the league and cup so far in 2024 and we are only just halfway into the season.
“He has already won two cup finals along with his seven-year-old teammates which was the ”Roy Moodley Phoenix Youth Football Championship“ and ”The George Ramalu Youth Day Cup“.
Both tournaments were handled and sanctioned by LFA Phoenix. Ayush was also named “player of the match” at the Youth Day Cup finals after scoring a match winning goal.
