The Kia Street Soccer project, in association with Foodzone, Lets Play and Sporting Chance are pleased to announce that Trouble Tigers from Umlazi took this year’s Kia Street Soccer project title after a convincing finish against Newtown of Inanda at KwaZulu-Natals home of ’street soccer, Amanzimtoti Street in Kwa Mashu on Tuesday.
With an abundance of talent and skills coupled with a festive competitive spirit, seven weeks of entertaining street soccer boiled down to crown only one of six teams in the play-off as winners and Trouble Tigers won it in superb style beating Newtown 3 – 1.
Each team in the tournament is made up of six kids, of whom at least two are girls. All players must have attended school throughout the year prior to the start of the tournament and must belong to the local sports club.
The project has had unbelievable feedback on the value its had on the community and children alike, according to Pacino Singh, the coordinator in the Phoenix area.”
“It’s an absolute joy to see over 120 children in our community talk, breath and play soccer, day in and day out. The type of skill and knowledge that these children have learned through the coaching structures have shown hope for possible future professional players ,” said Singh.
“For these children to be educated in simple things we sometimes take for granted, as well as play weekly and then get the opportunity to go watch a 2010 FIFA World CupTM mat, one can only say that at the end of the day…Soccer was once again the winner.”
Meanwhile, Brad Bing and Sporting Chance who are the brainstrust behind the project have been overwhelmed by the support and participation they have had from sponsors, partners and the community alike.
“This project has been very special for us in the year that see’s South Africa host the 2010 FIFA World CupTM and a special word of thanks must to go our sponsors, associates and partners. Kia Motors, AmaZulu Football Club, Foodzone and Dischem have really made this project a memorable one and I am convinced that every child will remember this project for a long time,” said Bing.
“Communities are filled with sports-mad children and the street soccer allows them to be actively involved in the great game called soccer, right here in their own neighborhoods” commented Bing.
Local PSL team AmaZulu Football Club has been visiting the various KZN regions over the past six weeks and as part of their association in the Kia Street Soccer Project, have committed to coach, mentor as well as scout for potential talent, of which some players have already been invited to trials within their youth structure.
Whilst only one team could be victorious, all children are winners after completing both the educational and tournament stages of the project. Each child will now be rewarded with a ticket to go and watch one 2010 FIFA World CupTM match.
