By Sports Reporter
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE journey to the 2017 Future Champions Gauteng international tournament begins on Saturday when the Future Champions Gauteng Schools Cup takes centre stage at George Thabe Stadium in Sharpville.
Sixteen of the top school sides in the Province will compete in the hope of reaching the semi-finals and in doing so qualify for the Future Champions Gauteng Cup tournament – the second stage on the path to the international event that will see some of the top Under-17 teams from around the world compete for the prestigious trophy.
The tournament, organised by Global Sports International in conjunction with Gauteng’s Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and the Department of Education, will be played over a single day with the sides split into four pools each containing four sides.
Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Faith Mazibuko, says Future Champions Gauteng Schools Cup is a huge highlight on schools sports programme and is delighted to be partnering with the programme again in 2017.
“Sports is such a crucial component in the development of youngsters, from the perspective of both body and mind, and so schools sport in particular is very important to us,” she says.
The competing teams this year are Chipa-Tabane, Magaliesburg, Clapham, Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sport School, Langaville, Kwadukathole Comprehensive, Mohloli, Esokwazi, Katleho-Impumelelo, Pholosho, Bophelo Impilo Community, New Model, Indoni, Basa Tutorial Institute, M.H. Baloyi and Kingsway.
Tournament Organiser, Ray Whelan, says they are delighted to be back in South Africa for another year.
The partnership with Gauteng Province now stretches back eight years.
“We are honoured to give the young learners of Gauteng the opportunity to build a path to take them to a career as a professional footballer we look forward to seeing the talent on display this year,” Whelan says.
Other sponsors of the tournament include Sedgars Sport and Gauteng Coaches.

– Guardian Sport