Picture: Dikgwamolelo FC players celebrating after winning a soccer tournament
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said they saw it imperative to come up with a few ways to bring growth to various sporting codes such as football and netball in the area. Gaoraelwe said grassroots football and netball will be beneficiary to local players who have an abundance of talents.
He held the GTLM Mayoral Cup competition at Taung Agricultural College sport-grounds on Sunday. Gaoraelwe further said, the second edition of the tournament was successful and benefited not only the participants but the wider surrounding community.
“These kinds of tournaments will encourage the growth of grassroots football in netball beyond our own town. So, we are grateful that the games were successful and we want to applaud the organising committee, and the teams that participated including those supporters who came out in numbers.
“To show the importance of everyone’s contribution, there are six players who were selected by scouts from Sekhukhune United FC for further assessment, while the other two were selected by the former Orlando Pirates FC player, Tebogo Moloi for ABC Motsepe League,” he said.
Inevitably, Gaoraelwe further encouraged all stakeholders to participate in grassroots sporting codes. He added that, the municipality has awarded teams with financial support including donating soccer and netball kits and trophies.
The Dikgwamolelo FC won the soccer tournament after beating Mogopela Wonderous FC 1-0 in the final. The Ditshilong-based team was rewarded with a whopping R50 000.
Dikgwamolelo FC coach, Odirile Mogaadile said: “Last year, we were eliminated in the first game. So, this year, we came well-prepared. I told our players to go out there and enjoy themselves. They played wholeheartedly and never put themselves under pressure.
“Even though we knew that the scouts were here, we played our normal game. I am so grateful that we won the tournament and the financial muscle that it comes with will be important.”
Mogopela United FC coach, Ompolokile Phekonyane said they did not have the capacity in terms of numbers. Phekonyane added that, his players were tired because they played more games.
“We will come prepared next time and it was painful to lose in the final. Our players came out gun blazing, but it was not meant to be as goals were elusive,” said Phekonyane.
Meanwhile, the Sekhukhune United FC Technical Director, Themba Sithole said the municipality should help the players by improving facilities. He said if they want to see good football, the players should be given good surfaces to play on.
“It is important to have one or two surfaces, which are good so that these kinds of tournaments can be played in. When I was with Free State Stars FC, they signed a defender from this area. So, that is why when I was invited I said, let me come and see.
“However, on Saturday when I arrived, I thought it was a waste of time until the last game was played. So, today, the semi-finals and finals were quite good even though the majority of the teams were a little bit defensive,” Sithole said.
He said he was happy that they saw what they wanted to see. Sithole said they were going to take either eight or ten players for further assessment in Johannesburg.
“We will continue to keep in contact with local coaches. We have also selected two players, who are still doing Grade 12 and they will join us in December,” he said.
The Guardian 