President launches soccer tournament

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma says a number of the social ills plaguing the country’s youth can be addressed through sport.

Speaking on Friday at King Cetshwayo District Municipality during the launch of the 2017 Jacob G Zuma Foundation soccer tournament, the President said young people must be encouraged to participate in sports.

‘It is our responsibility to stretch the imagination and energy that young people possess, through sports.

‘Instead of complaining about the youth indulging in drugs, we can get quite a number of them occupied and active which would in turn address these problems,’ he said.

He said the JG Zuma soccer tournament, which this year will be hosted at uMlalazi on 23 December, has become a source of finding talent.

‘We started this tournament in Nkandla some years back with very few clubs participating and played in Nkandla for a number of years.

‘We then went to eShowe because it was a central place and it was easier for people to travel. It also became easier for scouts to find talent and help develop players further,’ Zuma said.

He commended and encouraged sporting events like the SALGA Games, currently being held in Richards Bay, but added that more needs to be done at the national level.

‘We have nine provinces and it is my view that we should have a competition of the provinces as well as a competition of the districts. We must broaden the horizon.

‘When I started this tournament that we are launching today, I started with nothing. All I could get were a few soccer balls and soccer kits but it has really grown.

‘People like Patrice Motsepe have seen that because of its nature it should also, if we have the means, be developed at national level,’ he said.

He further called on people to come and support participants at the tournament in Eshowe.

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Nurture youth

Addressing delegates at the launch, uMlalazi Mayor Thelumoya Zulu also commended the progress that has been made since the inception of the tournament in 2008.

‘We have seen a lot of player develoGugu Myeni pment with young players getting opportunities to be selected to try out in big teams.

‘It has maintained momentum and attracted scouts from big teams like Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs who have at various times selected players.

He said currently there is a player from eShowe who has signed a three-year contract with Kaizer Chiefs.

He added that one critical thing is that it accommodates players who are 19 years and under.

‘The aim of these kind of tournaments is to nurture talent and you can only do that if you get it at a young age,’ he said.

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