Gauteng Schools Football Champions League starts

The penultimate and fourth round of the inaugural Gauteng Schools Football Champions League games took place at the Nike Football Training Centre (Shapa Soweto) on Wednesday, creating great excitement for the fifth and final round set for September 20.

This programme is geared towards expanding opportunities for participation, talent identification, exposure and development for elite players and teams in Gauteng schools.

From the Department of Sports Arts, Culture and Recreation, Patrick Motha said, “This is an integrated programme where we are bringing the vibe of sport Wednesday to our communities.

“We are trying to encourage schools to play regular league on a regular basis so that sports can be reintroduced in school.”

ALSO READ: Local football club thrilled with soccer kit donation

The renowned Tshwane based Clapham High School who have learners from the Mamelodi Sundowns Academy and boast CAF African Schools Championship and Pan African Champion titles are going into the final round atop of the log with 16 points accumulated.

Clapham is followed by Bhukulani Senior Secondary School (Zondi, Soweto) and the SAFA Sport School of Excellence (Germiston, Ekurhuleni) who have 13 points each, while Rosina Sedibane School of Specialization (Laudium, Tshwane) rounds out the current top 3 with 10 points.

At the top of the girls’ log is Jabulile Secondary School from Orange Farm with 16 points, whilst Kwadedangendlale Secondary School from Zola and Curro Academy Soshanguve are currently in second and third position with 13 and 12 points respectively.

ALSO READ: Local soccer teams invited to a top 16

“This initiative is good because not all learners are academically gifted and with sports, they also get an opportunity to succeed. The community must come and support their children for encouragement and boost confidences for our learners,” said Buti Tsotetsi, a teacher from Orange Farm.

The eight participating teams who are the best performing schools from the School Sport Wednesday League Programme are competing for the title of provincial champions that comes with a R100 000 cash prize.