The tournament is supported by the Knysna Municipality as part of its youth and sports development mandate, and the young participants were excited to put their abilities and skills to test on the field.
Established by SuperSport United senior defender Thabo September, who hails from Knysna, the tournament serves as a platform for talented u/16 soccer players in the Southern Cape to showcase their abilities.
Talented individuals who made a sufficient impression on selectors, may be included in the development structures of the SuperSport United Academy in Pretoria - at no cost to their parents. Last year's tournament saw two young soccer players, Lithemba Sithela (16) and Athenkosi Dlala (16) from Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay respectively being selected to attend the academy. If any of the past weekend's players wowed the talent scouts, discussions will be finalised with their parents or guardians before their names can be announced.
The weekend's events also included the launch of the Thabo September Foundation, which will also be looking at facilitating similar exposure and development for other sporting codes in the Southern Cape. The foundation also intends establishing several community outreach programmes with strong emphasis on life skills, principles and values, as well as living positively with HIV/Aids.
Addressing guests at the launch of the foundation and the closing of the tournament on Sunday, Knysna executive mayor, Georlene Wolmarans congratulated the winning team, Geirge u/16, and thanked September for his continued commitment to his former home of Knysna and the Southern Cape.
She said, "Having experienced the lack of exposure first-hand, as well as the benefits of others assisting you to get the necessary opportunities to showcase your talent, you not only identified the need but did something about fulfilling that need."
Wolmarans further said, "The needs of communities in the Southern Cape are sometimes very different from those in cities or even other rural communities. If anyone can understand the complexities of this set-up, it is someone like Thabo who has grown up here and lived the challenges first-hand. As someone who has experienced the pressures of the world beyond our borders and in the limelight, Thabo has a unique knowledge of what our kids need to make it out there - not only in terms of money and opportunities but also in terms of life skills and values. Thank you, Thabo, for bringing this perfect combination back to where your roots are - I know it is going to make the difference you want it to," said Wolmarans.
In conclusion Wolmarans said, "To those who are in a position to give towards this foundation, I ask that you do so. While funding is most certainly needed, your hands, time and experience and connections are also most welcome."
The Thabo September Foundation can be contacted via its coordinator, Priscilla September on 082 645 6891 or its website www.thaboseptemberfoundation.co.za.
The George u/16 soccer team celebrate their victory at the Thabo September Tournament with (back, from left) Thabo September, founder of the tournament, Knysna Executive Mayor Georlene Wolmarans, the George team's coach Eric Sogayise and (far right) the team manager Thando Donti. (Photo: Desmond Scholtz.)
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