Bushbuckridge teams and fans all winners at soccer tourney

The annual Bushbuckridge Soccer Tournament ended on a high note as all teams that participated played their hearts out, but at the end of the day there was only one winner in each age group.

The finals were held on January 14 at the Mandela Sports Ground in Mandela Village. Various age groups competed and women’s netball was also part of the games.

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The organiser of the tournament, Erastus Hlatshwayo, said it is played every year, and soccer and netball teams across the Bushbuckridge region participate, from the U14s to the masters.

The tournament started in December during the school holidays and the finals were played just before the school reopened. The main aim of the games was to keep young and old people off the street, and also boost local businesses.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teams that participated, and the sponsors of the tournament, because if it wasn’t for them it would not have been a success. One thing that stands out for me is that in all the games the stands were always full, with no incidences of fights or robberies,” he said.

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Hlatshwayo added that with this kind of behaviour the sponsors are encouraged to continue supporting the initiative.

The winners of the U15 soccer were Eleven Men FC and they bagged R10 000 cash, a full soccer kit, a trophy and medals.

In the other age groups, Marite Rangers were crowned the champions and their teams each walked away with R1 500 cash, a full soccer kit and medals.