U/16 soccer tourney kicks off in the city

The Metropolitan South African Schools Football Asociation (Sasfa) u/16 tournament kicked off at the Seshego Stadium yesterday (Wednesday).

The tournament ends on Saturday, December 7, where the top goal scorer will walk away with the Andani Kutama Golden Boot.

The Andani Kutama Golden Boot was named after Andani Kutama of Benny’s Care Sports Academy in Makhado, who collapsed and died on the pitch at King Zwelithini Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal during last year’s tournament.

Sasfa president, Mandla “Shoes” Mazibuko says they can’t forget Kutama’s contribution to local soccer. He was the top goal scorer when he died.

Mazibuko says the Kutama family will be invited to present the trophy to the top goal scorer during the final of the tournament.

“We are honouring the Kutama family by naming the top goal scorer trophy after their son. Since its inception five years ago, the Metropolitan Sasfa u/16 tournament has gone from strength to strength and this is thanks to the contribution of Metropolitan. Their commitment to a shared vision of offering young South Africans opportunities to better themselves will reap sustainable benefits in the future,” says Mazibuko.

“A showcase of the top two schools from each of the nine provinces, the tournament has become an integral part of the country’s development process, offering young talent a platform on which to display and gain recognition for their skills.

The schools have come through a testing three-month qualification campaign. My appreciation also extends to the municipality of Polokwane for their generosity in hosting the tournament.”

Metropolitan’s brand executive, Belinda Faulkner says: “While many sponsors look to contribute resources at the professional end of the football scale, Metropolitan believes that investing at grassroots level will help to lay a solid foundation for on-going future success.

“Not only with regard to the identification and development of talent at a young age, but by employing broad minded methods ranging from informative lifeskills seminars for the players to involving the local community in providing catering, security, transport and other essential logistical services. By sponsoring tournaments such as this one and the Metropolitan u/19 Premier Cup, Metropolitan’s aim is to assist the stars of tomorrow to emerge into adulthood on a stable footing both on and off the field”.

Faulkner says this year sees the fifth staging of the event and marks the introduction of a brand new trophy after Rosina Sedibane Secondary won their third successive title in Durban last year, entitling them to keep the previous trophy permanently.

“Every alternate year, the winners gain priceless international experience representing South Africa at the International School Sports Federation World Championships, with the next one occurring in 2015,” she says.

The Polokwane mayor, Freddy Greaver says the city is delighted to welcome Metropolitan, Sasfa and the young footballers from across the country.

“There is an air of expectation in the city and residents are eager to show their support in large numbers. We have our plans in place and are ready to show our guests the wonderful hospitality Polokwane has to offer,” says Greaver.