YOUTH SHINE AT KAPSTADT CUP
THE 2018 Kapstadt Cup had scores of youth teams battle it out at Hartleyvale Sports Complex, the home of FC Kapstadt.
The biggest grassroots festival in Cape Town saw teams from across the Peninsula take part in a feast of football.
Spectators were not only entertained by their teams, as former PSL and Bafana Bafana internationals battled it out in exhibition matches against FC Kapstadt Legends, comedians and a team of media professionals.
Former professional footballers Ryan Botha and Brent Carelse and former Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town coach Craig Rosslee proved that age is no barrier to performance.
Good Hope FM was broadcasting live from the venue from Friday through until the finals yesterday.
Mayor Patricia de Lille attended the opening ceremony on Friday, where Jimmy Nevis also performed.
The tournament not only affords players as young as eight with the experience of playing in a cup competition, but also brings together children and families who would otherwise never meet in a social setting.
“The important thing is that the children have fun and have a good experience from a tournament like this,” former world champion freestyle footballer and Guinness World Record holder Khris Njokwana said in an interview with Good Hope FM after turning out for the FC Kapstadt Legends, where they drew with the Media Rockstarz. “The support of parents is very important,” Orlando Pirates defender Asavela Mbekile said.
“When you have your parents supporting you, like we have seen here today (Sunday), you can go far because you see how your parents support you, and this raises your game.”
Next year’s tournament is expected to be bigger and better. There’s speculation that some top European clubs are sending teams to Cape Town to compete, but FC Kapstadt president Zaid Omar has remained tight-lipped.
“Stay tuned and you’ll find out soon enough,” he quipped.