23 Sep 2018

Independence tournament will be hosted at Kopong United FC grounds on  September 29.

Speaking in an interview, tournament organiser, Tshepiso Jabari said the main objective was to revive sports in Kopong and engage youth to partake in sporting activities during independence celebrations.

The Gilport Lions FC player said the tourney would bring youth and village leaders to one place to share fun and celebrate responsibly in the name of sports and engage on various issues as well as to encourage players to keep fit and entertain football fanatics.

“I have realised that football is dying a slow death, young people who have countless football talents are losing interest in playing sports every day, and they indulge in all kinds of social ills that continue to undermine the security of our society,” he said.

Jabari said they also indulge in rape, alcohol and substance abuse, theft, suicide and passion killings among others, and he thinks the tourney would help them refrain from such illnesses because they would be focusing on sports.

He said four teams being No Mathata, Lister City, Saebur and Jabari would tussle one another in the one day tourney.

He also indicated that there would be a netball battle between Kopong Majakathata netball team and Gakuto United Girls team.

He said the tournament would be played on a knock-out system and the winner would walk away with a trophy, P3 500 and 25 gold medals, while position two would pocket P2 500 and silver medals and positions three and four would get P1500 and P900 respectively.

Jabari said two under 15 teams would be selected from Kopong East and West to battle for the championship on the 1st of October.

He said they would also donate school bags after their game.

He listed Jabba Scooper and Cell City as the main sponsors of the event. Managing director of Cell City, Nabeel Kader said their participation was meant to help mobilise grassroots football and help youth to stop indulging in bad behaviour.

He said their aim was to help youth realise their potential, inspire them to greater heights as well as to boost sportsmanship amongst the youth. Ends