Preparations for the 2009 World Football convention spectacle, Soccerex, are underway with the return of the Westrand regional Diski 5 tournament this weekend on Saturday 17 October, at the Toekomsrus Stadium. The games start at 09h00 until 14h00
For eight weeks starting from the October 10 to November 29, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation will host the “Diski 5 GP” Five-a-Side football tournament as part of the province’s preparations for Soccerex 2009.
The tournament, starting with Johannesburg region kick-started a series of regional play-offs culminating in the finals to take place at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton on Sunday, 29 November 2009 ahead of the Soccerex Football Festival to be played by the European and African football legends. The tournament aims to deepen youth participation in sport and contribute to football development initiatives linked to legacy projects as progress towards the 2010 FIFA World Cup and beyond.
About 120 community based clubs are part of the tournament being held in selected stadiums and sports centres in all Gauteng regions as part of the build up programme towards the Soccerex. The department working closely with South African Football Association (SAFA) has successfully organised participating local teams. This has been the first experience in the province and so far it is proving to be a significant instrument to uplift the standard of soccer in South Africa and create a positive sports climate across the continent
“This event presents us with an opportunity to promote football as well as enhance football development initiatives, particularly for the youth ahead of our preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” says Nelisiwe Mbatha-Mtimkulu, Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts Culture and Recreation.
The five-a-Side type of arrangement is based on the street soccer style which is well known in the South African soccer circles and its popularity has given birth to professional players. Through creative and skilful players, the tournament will definitely take the street soccer culture to the world during the Soccerex.
For more information contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
Issued by: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government
15 October 2009
Source: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.srac.gpg.gov.za/)
