Discovery and Safa have partnered once again for the Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge.
The challenge will be hosted at Soweto’s newly renovated Nike Football Training Centre, recently renamed Shapa Soweto, from December 8 to 29.
The grassroots diski tournament will be a feisty football affair. It will ignite the beautiful game despite the limited number of spectators that will be allowed.
The local u-17s, as well as senior men and women’s teams, will compete in this popular tournament.
Established in 2002, head of Vitality Wellness at Discovery Vitality Dr Mosima Mabunda said, “Events such as these are part of Vitality’s global pledge to make 100 million people 20% more active by 2025.
“Early in 2020, we were forced to pause sport: clear the pitches and abandon the goalposts. Two years on and we’re ready to bring this fabulous football festival back to the people of Soweto, but, with one caveat, all spectators will need to be vaccinated,” said Mabunda.
“Live sport provides a vehicle through which we can encourage vaccination and further reaffirm Discovery’s purpose of being a force for social good as we strive for team sports once more. For this reason, the 2021 tournament edition will be as important off the field as on, in the endeavour to fully vaccinate our Rainbow Nation.”
Phil Mogodi, president of Safa Johannesburg (Soweto Local Football Association), which boasts the cream of SA soccer talent, including Sibusiso Vilakazi, Percy Tau, Keagan Dolly and Lyle Foster, said, “We’re both grateful and excited that this tournament will go ahead.
“In terms of a player’s footballing journey, the three-week round-robin tournament provides each player with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can literally see the growth of a player from the starting whistle to the final handshakes. On a personal level, I cannot wait to get started. The people of Soweto are hungry to get going once more and play with passion and pride for sure.”
