Soccer enthusiasts bend it like Beckham at MYO

Soccer is more than a sport; it is a way to unite people in a common cause and have fun.

The 13th annual Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) soccer tournament was held on Saturday at Paradise Sports Grounds.

The purpose of the tournament was to see players from all races and religious backgrounds bound together in the spirit of brotherhood and love of the game.

“Sports unites our community, and together, we can save our youth from the bad vices and elements our youth face today,” said Shabir Ismail, tournament director of MYO.

Over the past 13 years, the tournament has grown substantially since its humble beginnings.

When it first began, only 15 teams participated, but on Saturday, a record of 50 teams entered the competition.

Teams from Piet Retief, Ermelo, Estcourt, Ladysmith, Vryheid, Dundee, Madadeni, oSizweni, Volksrust and Newcastle competed in the event.

To ensure each team had a fair chance, there were five age divisions.

The standard of competition was high, as teams fought hard to capture glory at the end of the day.

Heavy rain towards the latter part of the tournament did not dampen the spirit of the players. The youngsters played on regardless, and ensured soccer was the true winner at the end of the day.

The under 10 trophy was won by Vryheid, while Zun Nuyran of Dundee secured victory in the under 12 category.

Vryheid, who was the defending champion in the under 14 group, ensured the team remained unbeaten for the second year in row.

Newcastle teams, Dominoes and Benfika, clinched both the under 16 and under 18 divisions respectively.

Mthanti Radebe of Vryheid won the title the junior player of the tournament, while Aadil Noorbahai of Dominoes was awarded as the best senior player of the tournament.

Estcourt’s Siratul Haq lost three of the five matches, and was awarded silverware for being the most dedicated and consistent team in the tournament.

The best goalkeeper in the senior division was Samkhelo Radebe of Madadeni, while Ashiq Johnson of Islamic College Newcastle was chosen as the best goal keeper in the junior section.

The MYO thanked all sponsors who made the event a success, especially Bosco Butchery and Dr A.A. Sahib of Newcastle.

Mr Ismail extended a special thanks to Ishan Samlal and his team of professional paramedics of TRIVS Emergency Response for the service and hospitality during the tournament.

The community can look forward to MYO’s next event, the Sunset Walk, which will take place early September.