Johannesburg CBD’s ‘Field of Dreams’

While Johannesburg has long been a global hub for industry and gold, its inner-city youth have lacked a fundamental resource for a century: a proper place to play.

That changed recently with the unveiling of the Field of Dreams, the first full-size football field to be constructed in the Johannesburg CBD in 100 years.

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Located near the M1 Selby offramp, the project marks a significant moment in the city’s regeneration. By reclaiming land owned by Standard Bank, a coalition of private and civic partners has replaced makeshift street-side games with world-class infrastructure.

The sports complex is more than an isolated pitch, it said to serve as a “green beacon of hope” within the Maharishi Invincibility Institute’s (MII) broader “Education Town”.

MII CEO Taddy Blecher describes the facility as a shift from mining for gold to “digging deeper” for the creativity and potential of the city’s young people.

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The precinct is designed to handle high-volume community use, featuring a professional-grade, full-size football pitch and spectator stands, multi-court sports complex catering to netball and basketball and modern changing rooms and a clubhouse to support structured youth development.

Galvanising support

The project was pioneered by former national cricket captain Ali Bacher, whose vision for nation-building through sport galvanised support from Standard Bank, Italtile, the BW Cares Foundation, and Jozi My Jozi.

“Sport has always had the power to unify and uplift,” said Bacher. “The Field of Dreams is part of a broader movement to restore dignity, possibility, and safe spaces for young people across our city.”

Commenting on the partnership Nkosinathi Manzana, executive head of group real estate at Standard Bank said: “We are proud to present the Field of Dreams in partnership with the Maharishi Invincibility Institute. We believe this will be a space that serves as a gateway where education and recreation come together to empower and nurture the next generation.”

Legendary South African cricketer and former SA cricket captain, Dr Ali Bacher, left, seen with Nkosinathi Manzana, Executive Head of Group Real Estate at Standard Bank, and Dr Taddy Blecher, CEO of MII. Image: Supplied

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“As one of the key partners to the project and its vision, Jozi My Jozi is a movement that aims to bring hope back and instil pride into our city,” says Jozi My Jozi CEO, Bea Swanepoel.

“Our partnership with MII and Standard Bank on the Field of Dreams project is a perfect example of collaboration to bring sports and recreation for the benefit of the youth into the inner city,” she adds.

Manzana concludes: “As a bank, we remain deeply committed to the regeneration of the inner city and to the power of public-private collaboration. This field is, therefore, a unique investment – not purely in concrete or commerce, but in the spirit of community and the future of the city of Johannesburg.”

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