Two Tavern owners team up to provide longevity and sustenance of a Masters Soccer league, which started as a tournament for three teams.
“The league started growing and attracted more youth to the extent that they would even fake their age so they could also play in the masters’ league. We felt the need to start a league for them as well with Japhter as the sole sponsor.”
Two Tavern owners team up to provide longevity and sustenance of a Masters Soccer league, which started as a tournament for three teams. After the tournament attracted more teams, Japhter Motsepe saw the need to start pumping in some money to ensure the smooth running of the league. Warrick Malatjie from Ga- Kama, Turfloop, Polokwane, joined four seasons later and the games started rotating weekly. The league is now playing in its fifth season, and it consists of 10 teams from Turfloop and Segoreng in Mentz. A Committee and additional members were appointed for the administration of the league.
After being approached by Mentz youth to establish another league that would suit them, Japhter Motsepe did not hesitate to have it kick-started and the games play on Saturdays while the Masters play on Sundays.
The league is prolonged by playing each team four legs every season unlike professional soccer leagues, which play two legs. This is to avoid a long break before another season resumes, eventually leaving participants in boredom while waiting for another season.
The league’s Media Liaisons Officer Tshepo Magoele affectionately known as King Sapa, said that they started the league on the basis that men over 30 years of age were considered old to participate in Soccer tournaments for boys younger than the said age. As a result, they started this league to accommodate them. Magoele cited that consistent participation in the league spares them from contracting diseases such as high blood, and diabetes and helps them to keep fit.
He highlighted that the league has contributed to the reduction of extravagant expenditure on alcohol and alcohol consumption from the players.
“The league started growing and attracted more youth to the extent that they would even fake their age so they could also play in the masters’ league. We felt the need to start a league for them as well with Japhter as the sole sponsor”’ Magoele said.
Teams in these two leagues battle it out for trophies, Soccer kits, as well as awards for individuals such as top goal Scorer, Player of the season, and best referee. “It is in the current season that we are now having a Q-innovation system for all the four quarters of the leagues”, said Magoele.
The leagues’ weekly updates are found on King Sapa’s Facebook page.
Comments