There was excitement at the Itireleng Soccer field, as various local soccer and netball teams took part in the ‘Itireleng Sports Against Crime – Top 8 Tournament.’
The event took place from Feb 1 to 8, with locals from Itireleng excitedly supporting their respective teams. A large crowd attended the finals which took place this past Sunday, Feb 8. The eight local teams that participated; Moyele, Bullets, Buyern, Liverpool, Dobsonville, Ufile, Ezintswenbu and Obrigado, displayed wonderful soccer talent, much to the satisfaction of their supporters.
Event organiser, Mohapi Morapeli, told the Laudium Sun, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the teams, participants, and contributors who made the ‘Itireleng Sports Against Crime Top 8 Tournament’ a resounding success. The event showcased not only exceptional sporting talent, but also the power of community and sports in promoting positive social change.”
Mohapi added that the dedication and competitive spirit of the teams were instrumental in making the tournament both exciting and meaningful.
Congratulations was extended to the winning team, ‘Bullets’ for their outstanding performance.Their victory was rewarded with:- Gold Medals- A Tournament Trophy- A Soccer Kit – R10,000 in prize money.
The runners up, ‘Moyele’ were also congratulated for their impressive effort, earning:- Silver Medals – R6,000 in prize money.
Additionally, the ‘Malawi Netball Team,’ was congratulated for playing a successful team spirited game and walked away with: – A Netball Kit – Bibs – A Netball – Gold Medals
Mohapi thanked all contributors, adding, ”This tournament would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the following individuals and organizations:
- The referees, for ensuring fair play and professionalism throughout the matches
- The commentator, for adding energy and engagement to the event
- All supporters and fans, whose enthusiasm created an unforgettable atmosphere
- Engen Den, for their generous sponsorship and commitment to community development
- The Department of Sports, for their guidance and support in promoting sports as a tool against crime
- The Laudium Sun for supporting the tournament by covering the event
- The organizers, whose dedication and hard work behind the scenes ensured the smooth execution of the tournament.”
In conclusion, Arron Tshikos (Obrigado) said, “We thank everyone involved for making the Itireleng Sports Against Crime Top 8 Tournament a memorable and impactful event. Together, we have demonstrated how sports can unite communities, inspire youth, and contribute to a safer, healthier society. We look forward to future collaborations and continued efforts in harnessing the power of sports for positive change.”