Vryheid soccer tournament scores goals for school shoe drive
Eighteen teams gathered in Vryheid to support disadvantaged learners through a school shoe donation drive.
A soccer tournament held recently in Coronation, Vryheid, brought together 18 teams from different areas – including Durban, Empangeni, Melmoth, Nongoma and other neighbouring communities – to play for a good cause.
Soccer for a good cause
The tournament was organised to help children from disadvantaged families, particularly those who have lost their parents or whose parents are unemployed and struggle to afford school shoes each year.
Tournament organiser Bongani ‘Xavi’ Ngwenya explained that the initiative uses soccer tournaments to support the school shoe donation drive.
“The main aim of holding these tournaments is to donate school shoes to learners in need. There are many learners who do not have parents, while some parents are unemployed and struggle to buy school shoes every year.
“That is where we come in. We organise games, play and then make donations.”
18 teams take to the field
The tournament featured several friendly matches played at three different sports fields.
Among the matches, Uthukela FC from Durban faced Amagents FC from Dundee, with Amagents securing a 1-0 victory.
The host team, King Xavi FC, had a 1-1 draw against Bhebhe Masters FC from Newcastle, while Zonke FC lost 3-0 to H2 Masters FC.
Xavi explained that the tournament was not a knock-out competition and that there was no overall winner, as the main focus was on bringing teams together for a good cause.
Schools benefit from shoe donations
He added that, “We would also like to appeal to political leaders not to make false promises. They promise to donate school shoes but end up not even showing up.”
Various primary schools like Ngokolwane, Bhekuzulu, Emandleni, Abaqulusi, Hlobane and Thakazela benefited from the initiative, as well as other learners from communities that are in need.
The next school shoe drive soccer tournament is set to take place in Durban on December 5.
The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
