The community came together for a day of football on Heritage Day at the Kamal Cisco Cup Five-a-Side Soccer Tournament in Highbury, Kuils River.

A total of 24 teams, 12 junior (u-14) and 12 senior (u-21) from various areas within Ward 19, participated. The juniors played their pool games at Soneike High School and the seniors at Excelsior Park. The semi-finals and finals were played at the school.

Summerville won the junior final against Kalkfontein. Sarepta East won the senior final against Hagley South.

Now in its second year, the tournament was hosted by ward councillor Ebrahim Sawant in partnership with local coaches from across greater Kuils River. Organising committee chair Kuda Chizema, coach at Soneike High, said all the games ran well and the organisers kept to schedule.

Kamal Cisco donated new soccer kits for the teams as well as trophies and medals.

Soneike High made its pitch and facilities available for the day, encouraged learners to attend and support players, and hosted a car wash for visitors parking on the school grounds.

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Sport unites

Sawant said the tournament gave young players from communities affected by gangsterism, drugs and violent crime a safe space to compete under coaches who act as mentors. “Our heritage is not just about where we come from, but about what we are building for our children. Sport unites us across all cultures. I want to thank the coaches who work selflessly all year and Kamal Cisco for believing in our youth,” he said.

Gagan Santosh, chair of the Kamal Group, said it was the company’s second year supporting the tournament and first as full sponsor. “These kids are our future. Sport teaches unity, respect and a shared passion for the game.” Santosh said Kamal Cisco, through its corporate social responsibility arm, the Kamal Foundation, would continue to support programmes that uplift the Kuils River community.

Galleries

Photos: Carina Roux

Penalty shoot out: Hagley South vs Vrygrond

u-14 Semi-final Kalkfontein vs Vrygrond

u-14 Semi-final Summerville vs Hagley South

u-21 Semi-finals: Kalkfontein vs Hagley South; Sarepta East vs Smartie Town

Finals

u-14

u-21

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