IF all goes well with sponsorship and funding, the Mtuba Football Academy (MFA) will in April embark on its second international soccer tour in six months.
Following the developmental soccer tournament in Ireland last November, Sheldon Hughes’ players were earlier this month invited to an Italian invitational in Milan.
The Sedriano World Cup is an international tournament aiming to give players an opportunity to be seen by talent scouts.
MFA is the first South African team to receive an invitation to this prestigious tournament.
The tournament will be held from 18 to 21 April and, with sufficient time to prepare, Hughes is holding try-outs for budding soccer players from across Zululand until early-February.
‘We have been invited to send one U/13 team and one U/15 team to the tournament and would like to give as many young talented players as possible the opportunity,’ said Hughes.
Try-outs will be held at the Riverview sports field in Mtubatuba on Saturdays.
Hughes will select the teams by early-February, leaving the rest of February and the whole of March for training and organising documentation.
‘This is an amazing opportunity for Zululand players to be scouted by international scouts attending the tournament.
‘But, as always, a trip such as this comes at a cost and we are looking for sponsorship and funding for those families who would be unable to pay.’
Unlike the Irish tour, organisers of the Italian tournament have not offered to foot the bill for any of MFA’s costs, leaving players’ families to find money for airfares, accommodation and food.
‘We are looking for sponsorship or donations from municipalities, businesses or individuals. I am also going to approach the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation to see what they can offer.
‘Without assistance, this will be a lost opportunity.’
For more information on sponsoring the players, Hughes can be contacted on 076 8739927.
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