SOCCER TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN YOUTH MONTH

Thousands of soccer lovers are expected to flood various local soccer venues to support their teams and local talent during the City in Ekurhuleni Youth Soccer Tournament.

The tournament which is coordinated by SAFA Ekurhuleni in collaboration with the City of Ekurhuleni’s Sports Department kicks off on Saturday, 3 June 2023.

The tournament will feature 64 teams and will run until Youth Day, 16 June, when the finalists will square up for the trophy and R250 000 first prize, gold medals and a trophy. The runners-up will take home R100 000 plus medals while third and fourth-placed teams will each take home R30 000. All four semi-finalists will get new soccer kits as part of their prizes.

The soccer games will be held for three consecutive weekends (3 – 4; 10 – 11 and 16 June) building up to the finals that will be held at Tsakani Stadium on Youth Day, 16 June.

“Hosting the finals on Youth Day is very significant as it reinforces the importance of young people in taking the country forward. Sport is known for building confidence, and physical and mental strength which the youth need to overcome the various social challenges that they get exposed to.

“The soccer tournament is part of the City’s efforts to promote social cohesion and give the youth something positive to focus on,” explains the City’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

The MMC for Health, Social Development and SRAC Cllr Bridget Thusi will officiate the launch of the tournament drawing of the fixture at 13:00 on Friday, 2 June, at the Germiston Stadium.

The City would like to encourage locals to support the tournament but to do so in harmony and appreciation of each other’s choice in terms of the teams that they would be supporting.

For more information, team managers or coaches may contact the following gentlemen:

• Job Mchunu (SAFA Ekurhuleni) – 067 159 6447;
• Nkateko (SAFA Ekurhuleni) – 068 582 1201;
• Xolani Ngwenya (SAFA Ekurhuleni) – 081 492 1073; and
• Vuyisa Fire Zitha (Help a Learner) – 076 388 8218.

Below is a table listing the venues where the tournaments will be held: