Locals encouraged through sports
The KwaThema Development Project hosted a five-a-side one day soccer tournament at the KwaThema Sports Complex last Saturday. The tournament saw six teams from around KwaThema areas participate.
Seven games in total were played during the tournament.
Vusi Shabangu, chairperson of KwaThema Fire Society says they organised the tournament to revive the five-a-side game in the community,where it was once very popular.
“I remember at some stage in KwaThema, almost every street would have young and old boys playing the five-a-side game.
“The level of crime and substance abuse was not as high as at present, because youngsters had something to do after school,” says concerned Shabangu.
He says he is aware that not everyone will have the passion to pursue soccer at a professional level, but they are encouraging youngsters and community members to keep busy through soccer.
“The community needs to come together to revive sports, even in the most informal way, so more people can get involved in the quest to eradicate substance abuse and crime,” he says.
After seven matches between the six teams, Tokyo beat Golden Arrows 2-1 in the final match, crowning them the KwaThema five-a side Development Project champions.
Shabangu adds that this is the first attempt to revive the game of soccer and a much bigger tournament is planned for March.
