The inaugural Battle of the Stars pre-season tournament kicked off on Saturday 28 January at Vuyiseka Sports Complex in Lower Crossroads.
At least 32 teams from various areas in and around Lower Crossroads are participating in the tournament.
The final is expected to be played on Sunday 12 February with the champions walking away with R13 000 cash, a trophy and gold medals.
The second prize is R8 000 and silver medals, while the third place takes home R4 000. A team that finishes the tournament in the fourth spot will walk away with R3 000.
The event organiser Thabo Nxhovu described the tournament as a first of its kind. He said it is part of the go back to school campaign.
“Most of our players are still studying. And by having such a soccer tournament we are trying to engage them through sports and prepare them for school. We are also trying to keep them busy and lure them away from the streets,” said Nxhovu.
He said they plan to hold the tournament annually.
Nxhovu said the long-term dream is to raise some revenue that will be ploughed back into the community.
“With the money that will make as a profit, we plan to buy school uniforms and stationery for some of the learners in schools within Philippi East.
“We will make sure that we identify learners who are coming from disadvantaged families from both primary and high schools and assist them with whatever they need,” explained Nxhovu.
Some of the teams participating in the tournament come from Lower Crossroads, Philippi, Dunoon, Mitchell’s Plain, Delft, Epping, Athlone, Crossroads, Khayelitsha and Mfuleni