Friday, 22 July 2011

Premier’s Cup unites soccer rivals

Under a new initiative from the KZN Department of Sports and Recreation, soccer clubs Amazulu and Thanda Royal Zulu will be responsible for the development of youth soccer in Zululand

In a first-of-its-kind partnership in KwaZulu-Natal, provincial government is partnering with four soccer clubs - Lamontville Golden Arrows, Maritzburg United, Thanda Royal Zulu and Amazulu - to raise the level of soccer among school-going youngsters. Spurring them on is the introduction of the first Premier’s Cup challenge, which sees all four clubs vying for the trophy on 31 July at King Goodwill Zwelethini Stadium, Umlazi. Responsibility for development in the Zululand area is shared between Thanda Royal Zulu and Amazulu, with the former being allotted the districts of uThungulu and uMkhanyakude and the latter the district of Zululand. Pierre Delvaux of Thanda Royal Zulu believes that this is a ‘worthy cause as 62% of the players in the Premier League come from this province. ‘However, clubs cannot undertake development on their own as their funds are insufficient.

Investment
‘The involvement of government is essential as well as a partnership with private investors - corporates and their CSI projects Thanda has retained the services of former head coach, Prof Ngubane, who will oversee their youth development programme. James Dlamini of Amazulu said,: ‘This adds value to our pre-season preparation as competitive friendly matches help to identify players with the right temperament and it will improve the aspirations of the youngsters.’ ‘We need to work hand-in-hand,’ concurs Lamontville Golden Arrows Chairperson, Mantoma Dladla. ‘Hopefully we will even be allocated our own training venues.’ Zululanders, however, are actually in the pound seats as they have a magnificent facility in Richards Bay, one which will be utilised by Amazulu for a camp next week and where a ‘friendly’ match will be played against Thanda. Another objective of the Premier’s Cup is to increase the influx and range of spectators to games.
If this could be done for the Fifa World Cup, then it can be done again, is the consensus. To this end the entrance to the inaugural Premier’s Cup is free, but spectators will need to get tickets at points still to be announced.

Draw
The first match on the 31 July will take place at 9am between Thanda Royal Zulu and Amazulu. The second match will take place at noon, featuring Lamontville Golden Arrows vs Maritzburg United. The final is scheduled for 4pm between the two winning clubs.