FOOTBALLERS from the 19 local football associations that make up the eThekwini region competed in a Youth Championship Tournament at Lamontville’s KwaGijima sports field recently. The tournament was run by the Municipality’s Sport and Recreation Development Department and the South African Football Association (Safa). Ntuzuma emerged as champions in the under-15 boys division, while Reunion beat Verulam 3-1 in the under-15 girls.
In the under-17 boys, uMkhomazi took the title, while uMlazi won the girls under-17 title after defeating Durban South 2-0. UMkhomazi under-19 overpowered Verulam 3 - 1. Lona Benya, of the Sport and Recreation Development Department, said that apart from youth development, the tournament was part of efforts to improve coaching and train first-aiders. She said the teams provided recruits for the eThekwini squads playing in the Kwanaloga Games and One Nations Cup. Eric Smith, of Safa’s eThekwini Region, said he was impressed by the turnout.