Club launches school’s tourney
Explaining his vision about sports development Nkosi said this tournament was the beginning of greater things to come: to involve all the sporting codes including netball, tennis and rugby
MBOMBELA- For the very first time in the history of a schools’ tournament, a locally based business tycoon, the founder and CEO of God’s Chosen Football Club, Vusi Nkosi, in conjunction with the South African Schools Football Association (Sasfa) launched the first-ever God’s Chosen School Tournament for u/13 and u/18 learners in Mbombela.
“This is a pilot project to be contested by schools from eight circuits around Mbombela and it is expected to grow when schools from Ehlanzeni and Nkomazi Municipality will participate,” explained Sasfa’s rep Nkosana Mhlongo.
The event will be from April 18 to September 19 with the finals to be played at Mbombela Stadium.
A total budget of more than R54 500 has been set aside, the u/13 schools will have to share a sum of R20 000 with the winner receiving a huge chunk of R10 000 and medals, the runner-up will receive R5 000 and medals while the third-placed school will walk away with medals and R3 000 and the remaining R2 000 will be handed to the fourth place. All winning primary schools from circuits levels will also receive soccer kits.
The tournament will also see u/18 boys from high schools battling for R34 000, with the overall winner walking away with R17 000, second will take R10 000 home and the third-placed school will receive R5 000. Fourth place will get R2 500.
Winning schools will also be awarded a floating trophy accompanied by a permanent one. The best player and the top goalscorer will stand chances of winning two-roomed houses for their families or education bursaries.
Explaining his vision about sports development Nkosi said this tournament was the beginning of greater things to come: to involve all the sporting codes including netball, tennis and rugby.
He believed that developing sports at grass-roots level was the only way to achieve a better national team in all sporting codes in the future.
“So far companies have given a lot but without achieving results as national teams continue to lose, however, we will manage because we have a great team here comprising teachers who are the greatest coaches and learners as players.”
For the very first time this tournament will also award supporting parents who never miss a match to support their kids.
Other prizes will be determined by other sponsors involved including Makro, Imperial Toyota and others.
Principals and teachers were urged to protect the event from maladministration and cheating.
“Let’s use this opportunity to jump to the levels. It must attract more black sponsors,” emphasised former Kaizer Chiefs PRO, Lewis Tshakoane.
