City injects R200 000 into Kwa-Mahlobo games

28 April 2017

 

The City of Johannesburg’s Community Development Department has pumped R200 000 into this year’s annual KwaMahlabo Games as part of its continued drive to develop soccer among the youth, particularly those in disadvantaged communities.

 

This year's tournament started on Thursday April 27 (Freedom Day) and will reach its climax on Monday May 1 (May Day) when the winning teams and individual players will be presented with their prizes.

All sixteen participating teams are vying for the R50 000 first prize.

Between 8 000 and 10 000 spectators are expected to watch the Games in Meadowlands, Soweto, over the five-day period.

The winners of the R50 000 first prize will also walk away with a gold trophy, 22 gold medals and a soccer kit.  

The first runner-up will be presented with a cheque for R10 000, a silver trophy, 22 silver medals and a soccer kit.

The tournament’s top goal scorer and top player will each receive R500.

Established in 1996, the KwaMahlobo Games are not only aimed at enthralling soccer enthusiasts but are also used to distract the youth from social ills such as crime and drug abuse and to develop and expose their talent.

Speaking at the launch of the tournament on Tuesday April 25, Mbulelo Bezu, the City of Johannesburg's Deputy Director of Sport and Recreation, said such tournaments helped to enhance people’s quality of life, particularly those from poor backgrounds.

Bezu said such tournaments also helped to expose talented youth to professional soccer teams.

“As the City, we are proud to sponsor this initiative as it will not only provide entertainment to the thousands of people who will be here but will also serve as an opportunity for those who want to kick off their soccer careers to be recognised,” said Bezu.

KwaMahlobo Games Public Relations Officer and Tournament Co-ordinator Patrick Ntenjwa said the main thing was to “produce professional players who will be passionate about the sport”.