Congrats to Malachi Kabeya on winning our August 2022 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Malachi plays for our Rapids Central 2014B Select I team as a winger. He is an exceptional student-athlete recognized for his outstanding leadership and for making younger players feel welcome through his on-the-field intuition, creativity, maturity, and understanding of his environment. Off the field, Malachi receives excellent grades and is consistently recognized by his educators for his attentiveness, willingness to learn, and academic excellence.
This September, Malachi will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge his achievements. We spoke with Malachi to learn a bit more about him. Check out the full interview below!
What influence has soccer had in your life?
Soccer has helped me to keep working hard and to learn new life lessons.
Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?
I believe I was nominated because I always try my best, I worked hard to be a Select player, and I try to be an excellent leader to my teammates.
What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
I enjoy playing for the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club because I am challenged to improve my skills. Also, my coaches and teammates push me to be better.
What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of being able to make the Select team.
What academic achievement are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of excelling in math and being asked to complete an independent research project, allowing me to discover my love for chemistry.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?
I believe my teammates would describe me as a good influence and leader, an excellent soccer player, athletic, kind, a good friend, and hardworking.
What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?
I have been going with my family to Congo and South Africa for several years, where we do outreach with the community through a local school, clinic, church, and orphanage. I always help with packing school supplies and toys to take to help the children there so they can study well and have fun playing with the toys. It makes me so happy to help kids and see their smiles when they receive the gifts. Also, with my family, I have gotten to know and serve many refugees here in Denver.
What’s your favorite soccer player and team?
My Rapids soccer team that I play with.
What do you hope to pursue in the near future?
I want to share the Word of God and play soccer at a high level.
Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!
My Papa inspires me as a player and person because he teaches me many skills to make the game fun and to see it as an enjoyable sport. Also, he inspires me to have a good friendship with God and teaches me important life lessons to be the best I can be.
What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?
I enjoy playing with my brothers, learning math and science, working with 3D printing, and climbing trees.
Since 2018, CRYSC and UCHealth + CU Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have worked together in an effort to grow the safety and health resources that are available for Rapids Youth players and members.
As our partnership strengthens with UCHealth, we want to work together to highlight the amazing players within the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club with a monthly ‘Player of the Month’. Check out the criteria and nominate any players that deserve to be highlighted by UCHealth and CRYSC on the UCHealth Player of the Month page.
