3 days ago
R10 000 Youth Day tourney
LIMPOPO – Youth Day was celebrated in style on Monday at N'wamankena village with a vibrant sports tournament that brought the community together and showcased local talent across various sporting codes.
The event, held to commemorate June 16 Youth Day, featured competitive matches in male and female soccer, as well as netball, drawing crowds from surrounding villages and other areas across the Greater Giyani municipality who came to support and cheer on their favourite teams.
The highlight of the day was the thrilling male soccer final between N'wamankena FC and Shimawusa Homeboys FC. Favoured by homeground advantage, the home team, N'wamankena FC, triumphed with a 2-1 victory, securing the tournament's top prize of R10,000 to the delight of local supporters.
In addition to soccer, netball and female soccer matches were played throughout the day, contributing to an atmosphere of excitement, unity, and youth empowerment. According to the tournament organiser Jay-jay Rikhotso, the tournament aimed to not only honour the legacy of the 1976 generation but also to encourage the youth to stay active by engaging in sports and avoid substance abuse.
'This was more than just a tournament; it was a celebration of our young people and their potential. The tournament aimed to take the youth off the streets and re-focus their attention on sports,' explained Rikhotso, one of the organisers of the event.
'With the increasing challenges faced by youth today, including substance abuse and lack of recreational activities, we felt it was important to give them a platform to express themselves positively through sport.'
He added that the turnout and enthusiastic participation from teams and spectators alike were encouraging signs that the initiative had a real impact.
'And so far, it looks like we've managed to do just that. We're truly grateful to all who supported this initiative; from the players who gave their all on the field to the community members who came out in numbers to cheer, and of course, to our sponsors whose contributions made the tournament possible.'
Rikhotso also used the opportunity to remind the community that plans are already underway for the next tournament.
'We hope that you will be able to join us again when we host our Good Friday tournament next year. With your continued support, we believe these events will keep growing and make a lasting difference in the lives of our youth,' he said.
The tournament was a winner-takes-all event, which concluded with a prize-giving ceremony that included a R10 000 cash prize, trophies, and medals.
'We would like to thank everyone for ensuring that the event ended peacefully and without any incidents of violence,' he added.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
