Easter soccer tournament blasts off
THE Hungry Tigers sports grounds at Mokomene, Ga-Ramokgopa in the Botlokwa area will see the local cream of the crop battle it out in the annual Easter Soccer Tournament.
LIMPOPO – THE Hungry Tigers sports grounds at Mokomene, Ga-Ramokgopa in the Botlokwa area will see the local cream of the crop battle it out in the annual Easter Soccer Tournament.
The tournament will start on Thursday and the grand finale of this five-day 16-team thriller is scheduled for next Monday afternoon.
This year’s edition is organised under the patronage of long-time associates, Gideon Chepape and Mahlo Raphasha.
The two have been central to soccer development in the Mokomene area and are seen as the custodians of the game in their respective neighbourhoods.
Chepape is very diplomatic in outlining their involvement in this event.
“We see soccer as part of social transformation of our young people. Known as a beautiful game, soccer attracts massive following from the young and old. It is for this reason that we bring young people to one venue to enjoy the game. In doing so, we are keeping them from social ills and other nefarious activities,” he says.
The tournament will be played under the auspices of the South African Football Association and Botlokwa Football Association, who are expected to officiate the event using FIFA rules.
Chepape reveals that he and Raphasha, have joined forces to fund the competition to the tune of R20 000. He confirms that the overall winners will pocket R10 000, the runners-up R5 000, the third place winners R3 000 and the fourth place winners R2 000.
There will be individual accolades for player of the tournament, top goal scorer and a floating trophy for the champions.
The tournament will feature bigwigs like defending champions FC Twente, host side Hungry Tigers, their nemesis Happy Tigers, Makoetja Home Sweepers, Korea, Motolone United and Bankuna of Morebene.
When the competition kicks off on Thursday at 10:00, all eyes will be firmly fixed on reigning kings, FC Twente, who are under the shrewd tutelage of the Selepe twins, Tshepi and Mpho.
The pair has converted the team into combative unit and are seemingly on the right path to take their side to loftier levels.
Chepape has confirmed that there will be scouts who will attend the tournament to search to talents.
