JabJabu tournament winners walk away with grand cash prizes
The tournament was able to employ a total of 150 casual labourers, from security guards to ball ushers.
The respective winning teams in this year’s JabJabu 7-A-Side Soccer Tournament have walked away with prize money totalling a grand sum of R104 400.
Teams from u13 to the masters category participated in the tournament at Central Sports Ground on May 1.
Founder and organiser of the tournament, Jabulane “JabJabu” Hlalethoa, said the turnout of this year’s tournament was great, with more than 4 000 people flocking to witness his 23rd Gauteng 7-A-Side tournament.
He said it took about six months to plan the event and negotiate with stakeholders, such as the municipality, the local football association, the local ward councilor and potential teams.
“Most of this money is shared by the team members, which enables them to put bread on the table when they go home,” said JabJabu.
“The tournament was able to employ a total of 150 casual labourers, from security to ball ushers. Local vendors were used to mend the food stall and beer garden,” he said.
JabJabu said he was excited about the good behaviour of the participants and the hospitality of the community of Mamelodi, which ensured that visitors felt welcome.
A total of 94 teams participated in the one-day tournament, giving spectators a thrilling day of soccer.
He said it was an exciting day, with 252 games played and 368 goals scored, compared to the 308 goals last year.
The entertainment ranged from a kiddie’s corner to a food stall with a beer garden with music provided by DJs from Dhino Café.
The day did not end with soccer at Mamelodi’s central fields, but continued into the night with various afterparties on Tsweu Street and the official afterparty at Jackbudha@mams.
A total of R5 000 plus medals for the 2024 league winners across all the divisions of the local federation was handed over to Joshua “Shoes” Malwa, a representative of Mamelodi Local Football Association (MALFA), as part of the tournament’s CSI programme.
More equipment is to be provided to various teams in the next four weeks as part of the programme.
JabJabu couldn’t list all the sponsors that came on board to make the tournament a success.
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