Nkosinathi Manzana, Executive Head: Group Real Estate at Standard Bank, Dr. Taddy Blecher, CEO of MII, Betway Africa CEO Laurence Michel, legendary South African cricketer and former SA cricket captain, Dr Ali Bacher, Clive Eksteen, Chief Commercial Officer at Megapro Group and Mark Rowles, Betway Head of Marketing.

Johannesburg CBD Gets First-Ever Soccer Field to Empower Youth

September 6, 2025September 9, 2025352 Views MII, Standard Bank 2 min read

Johannesburg’s inner city is set for a historic transformation as Standard Bank, in partnership with the Maharishi Invincibility Institute (MII), officially broke ground on the first full-size soccer field ever to be built in the Central Business District. Launched on 5 September 2025, the “Field of Dreams” project is designed to give young people in the city a safe space to play, learn, and grow. What was once a piece of mining land will now be home to a soccer field that champions the untapped potential of South Africa’s youth.

The initiative is being driven by legendary cricketer and former national captain Dr Ali Bacher with the backing of the JoziMyJozi coalition, a partnership working to reimagine the CBD. Standard Bank provided both the land and the initial funding, supported by Italtile, the BW Cares Foundation, and an anonymous donor. Together, these partners are investing in a space that restores pride to Johannesburg while opening new opportunities for inner-city youth.

Speaking at the launch, Nkosinathi Manzana, Executive Head of Group Real Estate at Standard Bank, said the project highlights the power of collaboration. “The Field of Dreams represents our deep commitment to the regeneration of Johannesburg and our belief in public-private collaboration. This field is an investment in the health, well-being, and future success of the next generation of leaders.”

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute, which has already trained and placed more than 25,000 unemployed young people into careers in finance, technology, banking, and management consulting, will manage the facility. Its graduates are collectively expected to generate more than R82.9 billion in lifetime earnings, showing the lasting value of investing in human potential.

For MII chief executive Dr Taddy Blecher, the project is about far more than sport. “This is more than just grass; it’s a promise to our youth. Johannesburg was built on gold, but today we’re mining something even more valuable the genius, creativity, and infinite potential of our young people.”

Located at a landmark site along the busy M1 highway, the new soccer field will also act as a green gateway to MII’s “Education Town” campus, were thousands of students from surrounding townships and informal settlements access affordable, world-class education. Dr Bacher explained that young people can study there for up to 10 hours a day, with access to tuition, materials, technology, sport and much more for only R200 per month. “That’s why we call it the Field of Dreams,” he said.

The groundbreaking ceremony signals a new chapter for Johannesburg’s CBD, turning a once-industrial space into a hub of education, sport, and youth empowerment. For the hundreds of thousands who pass daily on the M1, the field will stand as a visible symbol of hope, renewal, and opportunity.

From Left: Betway Africa CEO Laurence Michel, Legendary South African cricketer and former SA cricket captain, Dr Ali Bacher, Italtile Group Environment and CSI Manager, Michaela Kupsamy, Nkosinathi Manzana, Executive Head: Group Real Estate at Standard Bank, Dr. Taddy Blecher, CEO of MII.