First u18 soccer tournament held in Portlands is a kick in the right direction

Keeping young men occupied through sport is a way to keep them off the streets and out of the grips of drugs and gangsterism.

This was one of the motivations behind a newly-established u-18 soccer tournament hosted over the weekend in Portlands.

Aslam Carr, Barcelona FC chair, says this is the age when boys go through big life changes.

“We want to encourage them to stick to soccer and not to end up on the streets using drugs or alcohol,” he says.

As the only u-18 competition, Carr says this will create something for the u-16 boys to work toward.

“The interest was great this year. This was not about making profit. We did this out of our pockets with no sponsors. It is all for the boys. We are satisfied with how things went and it has been a success,” says Carr.

The club was established last year and will look to improve the tournament for next year.

Yusuf Stone of FC Tafelzucht.

Jason Topley of Leeds United and Liam Potgiter of FN Rangers in the special cup section finals.

Shaheen Roghay, Rueshon Benson and Caydian Naude celebrate Benson’s finals goal.

Clayton Jnr Daniels and Seth Williams of CMES are challenged by Bontehuwel United’s Ethan Daniell.

Diageo Jacobs of Juventus and Dimitri Welcome of Bayview A in the winners cup semi-finals.

Lelam Butseka and Kyle Willemse go head to head during the Shield section semi-finals.

Anrique Williams of Blue Downs Spurs.

Mueez Phillips of CMES.

Bayview FC supporters.

Irvine Mutukumira and Cohen Petersen from Strandfontein FC during the Shield section semi-finals.PHOTOS: Samantha Lee-Jacobs

Results

• Shield section CMES beat Bonteheuwel United
• Plate section FC Tafelzucht beat Pro Stars
• Special Cup section Leeds United beat FN Rangers
• Salaludien Davids Cup Everton beat Bayview A.

Winners in the main cup section took home R10 000, with runners up taking home R6000. Plate section winners took home R3000 and R1500 for the shield section.