Rainbow Soccer Tournament kicked off at Vuyiseka Sports Complex in Philippi on Friday 21 January. The fourth annual contest, comprising 32 teams from the Cape Metro, it is expected to be finalised on Saturday 6 February.
Event organiser Zane Mapete said the tournament is expected to be tough as all teams are gunning for the first prize.
“The standard of the tournament is improving each year because the teams know what is at stake,” he said. “All the teams are well prepared for the tournament. And the number of supporters increases every year.
However, Mapete said, players do not have sponsors to support them. “It is clear the people of Philippi and Cape Town as a whole love football and they never disappoint. But we are concerned about funding to keep the tournament going. For now some teams are raising funds to join. We need a major sponsor we can rely on. And we appeal to local businesses to come on board.”
He said the aim is to try to keep young people away from the streets. “We are creating a platform for young players to showcase their talent, instead of roaming around committing crimes!”
The prizes for the tournament the champions walk away with are R1 100 in cash, a trophy and gold medals. Runners-up get R5 500. There is a Plate Section, where teams in third and fourth positions play together. The winner takes away R4 500 and runners-up R3 000. And there is the Shield Section, which comprises teams in fifth and sixth positions, and the winner goes away with R2 500 and the runner-up R2 000.