Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen mine, successfully hosted the second Gamagara Soccer Tournament. The tournament, which took place on Saturday, 23 June 2018, was held at the SIVOS sports grounds in Kathu. In March 2018, 32 teams from the Gamagara region participated in a pre-tournament that was organised by the Gamagara Local Soccer Association and the winning top eight teams formed part of the “Top eight tournament”.
The eight teams that participated in the tournament were from Siyathemba, Deben, Olifantshoek, and Sesheng. The different teams are affiliated with the Gamagara Soccer Association and they each represent the communities in and around Kathu.
“It is youth month and the tournament is one of the mine’s initiatives to contribute towards youth development in the Gamagara region by ensuring they internalise the importance of safety through the safety slogan that reads “Play Safe, Live Safe and Be Awesome!” encouraging them to live safely said Sishen mine general manager Mapi Mobwano.
The purpose of the tournament was to motivate local youth, and encourage soccer teams to affiliate to the existing Gamagara sport structures.
In his speech, the Mayor of the Gamagara Municipality, Mr Edwin Hantise, thanked Kumba’s Sishen mine for creating sport opportunities for the youth. “The use of sport has the potential to teach young people about the dangers of getting involved in criminal activities such as drug and alcohol abuse”, he concluded.
The final clash was a derby between Young Stars Football Club and His Desire Sports Academy Football Club (FC). It was a tough an exciting 90-minute game full of energy from both teams. His Desire Sports Academy walked away with R17 000 after being beaten two goals to nil. Young Stars FC took the first prize of R25 000 and walked away as the 2018 Top Eight Gamagara Soccer Tournament Champions.
In his closing remarks, Ivan Mienies, Young Stars FC captain thanked all the teams that participated in the tournament, stating that “it was not easy but they all showed great physical and mental strength. They also played safe and remained awesome throughout the games”, he concluded.
