The Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Education Training Authority (Theta) is set to empower the lives of South Africa’s soccer players through the exciting Ithuseng Life Skills Project launched at The Venue, Melrose Arch on Thursday.

The host nation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup has embarked on a campaign to uplift 1500 soccer players as part of the build-up to the hosting of FIFA's premier soccer showpiece event on Rainbow Nation soil.

The Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) has been appointed by Theta to co-ordinate, implement and manage the Ithuseng Life Skills Project (meaning 'empower yourself') from September this year, concluding in September 2009.

Players from the 16 Absa Premiership and first division teams, Banyana Banyana, Basetsana and provincial female soccer teams will participate in workshops covering three key skills categories in personal growth, self-management and professional skills.

"Theta is delighted to be involved with an out-reaching campaign of the calibre of the Ithuseng Life Skills Project that will enrich South African soccer players well beyond the fields of the Beautiful Game, as they look to build careers for themselves in the business, social and other sectors," said Theta CEO Mike Tsotetsi.

"The programme has been long overdue and will play an important role in uplifting the lives of the stars of soccer, building their profiles in different circles."

National Manager of Macsteel Maestros Life Skills at the Sports Science of South Africa, Gill Taylor, said the Ithuseng Life Skills Project will empower soccer icons with tools that will equip them with better mechanism on how to cope with professional, personal and financial matters.

"The need has been recognised to motivate and uplift the skills of soccer players in South Africa at all levels through the Ithuseng Life Skills Project and we believe the programme will impact as well on their physical performances," said Taylor.

"The Ithuseng Life Skills Project will target areas that will increase player’s self-confidence and self-esteem, it will promote positive behavioural shift so that the players can cope better with matters at home, in their professional life and equip them to have better decision making skills.

"Many of the topics that will be covered in the project include ethics and values, leadership, relationships and communication, sexual health and HIV/Aids, time, stress and conflict management and they will also learn how to manage their soccer careers and future opportunities available to them," added Taylor.

The University of Cape Town's Dr Cathy Draper, in conjunction with Tim Harkness will be conducting research to measure the effect of the Ithuseng Life Skills Project on the players before and after the completion of the Project.

Harkness has adapted an assessment tool called the SAEHWS (South African Employee Health and Wellness Scale) which measures motivational and energetic wellness.