Discovery and Sisulu family celebrates 10 year milestone

The Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge, which is held annually in honour of the late struggle icon, Walter Sisulu, celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year. To mark this milestone, the winners of this year’s tournament will walk away with a once-off grand prize of R100 000.

The tournament will be held at the Nike Football Centre in Soweto from 2 December 2012 to 27 December 2012 and will see 48 teams take to the field in the main category, 32 teams in the under 17 category and 16 teams in the women’s category.

Discovery Sponsorship Manager, Sandile Mkari, says Discovery is proud to be sponsoring an event that has become an institution in Soweto and a highlight on the Gauteng soccer calendar. “It is also an excellent platform for young players to showcase their soccer talent and for the Soweto community to enjoy brilliant soccer right on their doorstep,” he says.

Discovery’s participation in the event is closely aligned with its core objective of encouraging physical activity, good nutrition and healthy living. “To promote awareness of the importance of health screenings and drive healthy eating in the community, we have organised a Discovery Community Festival on 16 December, midway through tournament,” says Mkari.

 At the festival, Discovery will conduct free wellness screenings comprising glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure tests; distribute fresh fruit; host a luncheon for the gogo’s of Soweto; and run soccer clinics for Soweto’s youth. Orlando Pirates assistant coach Teboho Moloi  will be on hand to assist with the clinics.

In addition, the media has been invited to get involved by donning their soccer boots and signing up for a game against the Discovery team  at the opening day on  02 December.  The Orlando Pirates Legends will against the Kaizer Chiefs Legends at the day of the final on 27 December.

Chairman  of the Soweto Football Association and tournament director, Phil Mogodi, says in the 10 years of the tournament, Soweto has seen many soccer players who participated in the event move on to play in teams such as Sundowns, Pirates and Ajax. “We look forward to seeing more players rise through the ranks to the top at this year’s event. This tournament is a great opportunity for young soccer players to be recognised for their talent,” he says.

Popular soccer stars discovered at earlier Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenges, include Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Sfiso Myeni (Bidvest Wits) and Edward Manqele (Sundowns FC), to mention a few.

 As part of this year’s community involvement, Discovery will be adopting a primary school in Soweto. Children from the primary school will participate as player escorts during the opening day on 2 December and again at the final match on 27 December. These children will also be attending soccer clinics during the Community Festival on 16 December. Full soccer kits and soccer balls will be handed to the school principal for these events. “We really look forward to having these little stars with us throughout the tournament,” adds Mkari.

 In celebration of the tournament’s 10^th anniversary status, a few high profile curtain raiser games will be played at the final. The games will feature Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs legends.