Much-needed boost for Plett‘s disadvantaged soccer hopefuls

Timothy Twidle GARDEN ROUTE CORRESPONDENT

THE Plettenberg Bay Community Police Forum has organised a soccer tournament in the town‘s informal settlements to encourage youngsters to become involved in the sport in the run-up to the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The knock-out tournament, contested by 20 teams from Bossiesgif and Qolweni, is being played at the two soccer fields at New Horizons.

Police forum spokesman Lawrence Mlanjeni yesterday said: “We needed an event to help and encourage young people to play soccer and become more involved with the game in the run-up to the 2010 Fifa World Cup.”

A number of hotels, shops, businesses and individuals in Plettenberg Bay and the UK are sponsoring the tournament, including Bitou mayor Lulama Mvimbi who donated the goalposts and nets.

Saturday saw 10 teams progress to the next round, with names like Goal Fighters, Sky Dive, Arsenal, Barcelona and Y2K, being presented with a Dreamfields bag containing a kit including strip and boots, and five balls per team.

Makaya Mabeke, 32, who lives in Qolweni and plays midfield for Barcelona, said: “The kit is very good and we are most grateful to everyone who has made it possible for us to receive it.”

He said Plettenberg Bay needed a good soccer field with proper training facilities, as teams often play on the dusty soccer pitches in the squatter camp.

The tournament concludes on Saturday, when Mvimbi will present a trophy to the winning team.