Local soccer tourney restarted to help youth
THE Isipingo Local Football Association (LFA) will kick off its season with the inaugural David’s Cup knock-out tournament.
The event strives to bring the fragmented football community under one umbrella body, under the South African Football Association (Safa).
Prian David, the chairperson of the competition commission for the Isipingo LFA, and the son of the late local football legend, Shun David, said: “My family started the idea of non-racial sport in the community and my dad, Shun and uncle, Logan David promoted and administered football, cricket, darts and netball. Isipingo was a thriving hub of non-racial soccer from 1918 when an association was formed with four teams. This grew to over 60 affiliates by the ’80s”.
In 1992, with the advent of unificition and merging of sports bodies, the Isipingo and District Football Association ceased to exist.
“Isipingo LFA has now embarked on a mission to unite the various factions and bring them under one roof so that all can enjoy the beautiful game.
“The David's Cup will seek to unify all clubs in the area. Clubs from the marginalised non-SA Football Association (SAFA) affiliates will lock horns against seasoned campaigners from Isipingo LFA to kick off the season,” said David.
Prem Vayapuri, the retired director of High-Performance Sport and Coaching in the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation, is among the coaches involved in the David’s Cup.
‘’It is really heart-warming to note that the community of Isipingo and surrounding areas will be afforded the opportunity to be involved in an integrated, sustainable mass participation
development and high-performance football programme.
“Structured football now returns to Isipingo after a few decades. I want to applaud the football stalwarts and the SAFA Isipingo LFA officials for addressing the ongoing challenges.
“The timing of the establishment of this unified structure is very significant as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Sacos,” said Vayapuri.
Beaver Shanmogum, 52, from Orient Hills Isipingo, is a professional bodyguard and soccer player. He is also the chairperson of Isipingo Sports Against Crime. The organisation was formed last year, focusing on the development of soccer in Isipingo. “Our main focus is to have kids play sports instead of doing bad things because they choose bad role models. We have U13, U15 and U19, as well as seniors.
The David’s Cup kicks off with the U13s on Saturday at Isipingo Beach Sports grounds.