Aston Villa win big at the Scara Ngobese Memorial Games
The winning side walked away with a whopping R100 000 in prize money and LaLiga merchandise.
2018 came to a blissful close, as the soccer community of Katlehong township endured 14-days of action-packed, kasie flavoured football during the sixth annual Scara Ngobese Memorial Games, held at the famous Somhlolo Grounds.
The Ekurhuleni Games are one of three festive season township tournaments that Spanish Football League, LaLiga supported during the festive season.
The festive season tournament, which commenced on 17 December 2018, aimed at empowering the local community through skills development and youth upliftment. LaLiga thus took it upon itself to support the tournament through branding, kit sponsorships, soccer balls and CSI initiatives, such as a u13 and u15 soccer clinic lead by former Bafana Bafana midfielder, Teboho Mokoena.
The Scara Ngobese Memorial Games and the Scara Ngobese Trust was established in memory of its namesake – Emmanuel “Scara” Ngobese. These games were aimed at honouring his legacy and to realise his wishes, to see Katlehong at the forefront of South African football.
“A tournament like this is key to revealing the soccer potential not only in South Africa but across Africa,” said Antonio Barradas, LaLiga’s Managing Director in South Africa.
“We strongly believe that the future of football is in the continent, and that’s exactly why we chose to support and collaborate with local tournament organisers, in this case, the Scara Ngobese Trust.”
During the tournament, 24 teams competed for the Scara Ngobese Memorial Games title and the first prize of R100 000.
The cup was won by Aston Villa FC, who beat Zone 3- Amaberete 5-2, with four goals scored by the tournament’s top goal scorer, Thomas ‘Ginjer” Kgope. Ginjer scored an overall 5 goals in the tournament.
The Scara Ngobese Trust Chairperson, Mike Manana, also heaped praises for LaLiga’s solid support of the Memorial Games, thanking the international organisation for its substantial contribution towards the success of the Games.
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“LaLiga’s support of the tournament not only brings stature and recognition to local football but helps us in promoting football at a grass-roots level standpoint but, most importantly, shows their love for the Scara Ngobese as well as the people of Katlehong,” says Mike Manana, Chairperson of The Scara Ngobese Trust.
“The standard of football this year was remarkable, it goes to show that there is immense talent in the townships. Congratulations to Aston Villa, they were the best team this year and we hope to see them again next year,” Manana concludes.
The Scara Ngobese Memorial Games are part of LaLiga’s efforts to provide its assistance when it comes to activities carried out across the footballing world relating to the promotion of the game, social responsibility and grassroots development.
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