Grahamstown will play host to possibly the biggest soccer tournament to hit its doorstep, when teams from across the country come to town for the inaugural New Year’s Cup Tournament.
Grahamstown will play host to possibly the biggest soccer tournament to hit its doorstep, when teams from across the country come to town for the inaugural New Year’s Cup Tournament.
The tournament kicks off on Friday 16 December, with matches taking place at JD Dlepu Stadium and Fiddlers Green. The tournament will begin with various speeches and an official opening before the first match, which takes place at 2pm and will see local team Pioneers take on Mountain Stars.
The next 15 games will take place on Saturday 17 December.
At the draw, which took place at the City Hall earlier this week, a number of stakeholders were introduced to all in attendance.
Director of LaLiga in Africa, Antonio Barradas thanked the New Year’s Cup organisers for the invite to be involved in the tournament.
Barradas said they intend helping South African Football Association (Safa) with the already existing programmes in the country.
Barradas said they plan to get involved with various municipalities and schools where they hope to help with the grassroots level of soccer in the country.
Once talented players have been spotted, Barradas said there will be an opportunity for them to be able to travel to Spain and play with the top clubs there.
“One day in Africa we will have a Messi or Ronaldo,” he said, referring to the top two players in the La Liga Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Barradas said that while they received a late invite to become part of the 2016 New Year’s Cup, he stated that they would “make it better” with more planning time.
Former Grahamstonian and chairman of the New Year’s Cup, Luyanda Papu said he was glad to have the New Year’s Cup taking place in his former town, which he adds, never had soccer development in his time.
Papu encouraged local businesses to get behind the local soccer clubs. “They need to sponsor our players,” he stated.
Twelve teams from Grahamstown were awarded spots in the New Year’s Cup, after the voting stages took place. Papu mentioned that almost 200 clubs from across the country received nominations.
Mzimkhulu Fin (Safa national executive member) said the New Year’s Cup is a great one towards the Safa 2022 vision which is to see Bafana Bafana placed among the top three countries in Africa and in the top 20 in the world.
“We are in full support of the tournament and may the best team … win,” said Fin.
The New Year’s Cup will see 32 teams from across the country battle it out for honours, right here in Grahamstown.
sport@grocotts.co.za
