Catching up with soccer teams at the 5-a-side soccer tournament were, Mpho Mokonyama the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Manager (left), Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Mayor Cllr Thsonono Buyeye (centre) and Acting City Manager Anele Qaba. The inaugural 5-a-side soccer tournament was held over the weekend at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Port Elizabeth, 16 September 2019: The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in conjunction with South African Football Association (SAFA) hosted more than 50 teams at the stadium’s inaugural 5-a-side soccer tournament this weekend in Port Elizabeth.
This tournament was an introduction of new innovative initiatives that involve the community and will form part of the overall stadium strategy going forward. It formed part of a range of initiatives being undertaken by the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Stadium to celebrate its 10th year anniversary throughout the year.
Some of the exciting events planned for NMB Stadium’s 10th anniversary that stakeholders can look forward to include: Women in Music (19 October); Open Day (23 & 24 October); Jetski (2 November); Golf Day (12 November); Family Day (16 November); Couture Inspired by Heritage (20 – 22 November); African Advanced Manufacturing & Composite Show (25-29 November); Gala Dinner (3 December); Bay Music Festival (22 December); and the Ebubeleni Music Festival (Gqom vs Hip Hop on 27 December, and the Main Event on 29 December).
Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Mayor, Councillor Thsonono Buyeye said the stadium would roll out more similar initiatives where the community could feel included.
“The stadium belongs to the people of the Metro. A child in sport is a child out of court. Sport is a unifier, it changes lives. We want to see more parents come and support their kids at youth events.
“We want to create a sporting culture in our city. Children who are supported by parents tend to excel and we look forward to a bigger and better event next year. We want the people of the city to feel that the stadium belongs to them. We want them to own it,” Buyeye said.
Ward 15 Councillor Celia Mtati said, sport is important for youth development.
“Through sport the youth learn discipline. I am glad the stadium hosted the tournament for the youth. This is one way to keep the children off the streets where they are exposed to drugs and alcohol. Children are the future champions of the nation,” Mtati said.
Local schools and social soccer clubs from various parts of Nelson Mandela Bay battled it out on Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 September.
The tournament fixtures included the U10 boys’ and girls’ divisions to U19 men and women’s divisions, as well as an open men’s fixture.
“The tournament was a success. We were happy with the turnout of supporters and teams who played. We plan to host a bigger 5-a-side soccer tournament next year. We also plan to host a rugby tournament,” Mpho Mokonyama, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Manager said.
The girls’ winning teams were:
- U-13 Girls Elundini Full Service School
- U-15 Girls Patterson High School
Prizes included vouchers for soccer equipment, floating trophies, a team trophy and medals for winning teams for the U10 – U15 division for 1st, 2nd and 3rd position.
The top three teams in this category also received two 10-year celebration NMB Stadium soccer balls.
In the U19 division, the winning team won cash, a floating trophy, a team trophy to keep, medals and two 10-year celebration NMB Stadium soccer balls.
1st, 2nd and 3rd position in the open division received cash, a floating trophy, a team trophy to keep, medals, as well as two 10-year-celebration NMB stadium soccer balls.
