The recently held Wahda Soccer Festival in Laudium was a huge success, attracting a record number of participants and spectators. Organized by All Stars Football Club, the festival showcased teams from various age groups, ranging from under 6 to under 15.
The festival took place at the Rosina Sedibane Sports Stadium, providing a professional playing environment for the young athletes. Thousands of parents and spectators turned up to witness the exciting matches. The event received wide coverage, with Hilaal TV broadcasting it live on DSTV.
The Wahda Soccer Festival saw teams from as far as Durban and Newcastle making the journey to compete. It even drew the attention of a scout from Cape Town, who selected young talent Byron of KZN Lyons to train with the renowned Netherlands club, Feyenoord.
The tournament saw fierce competition, with teams vying for the top positions in both the Champions Cup and the Super Cup. In the Champions Cup, top-performing teams in each age group battled it out to claim victory.
In the Super Cup, teams that fell just short of the top positions also had a chance to showcase their skills and compete for recognition. This format ensured that every team had an opportunity to shine.
The results of the Wahda Tournament 2023 are as follows:
Super Cup winners:
- Under 9: Apax Muslim School
- Under 11: MM Stars
- Under 13: Apax Muslim School
- Under 15: PSG 2
Super Cup runners-up:
- Under 9: African Tigers
- Under 11: Benoni Spurs
- Under 13: Randburg 2
- Under 15: Benoni Spurs
Champions Cup winners:
- Under 9: Roshnee FC
- Under 11: KZN Lyons
- Under 13: Al Falaah College
- Under 15: Al Falaah College
Champions Cup runners-up:
- Under 9: MM Stars
- Under 11: Hola Skoko
- Under 13: Azaadville Utd
- Under 15: Newcastle Stars
In the younger divisions,
- Under 6 Winners: Benoni Spurs
- Under 6 Runners up: Trouble Makers
- Under 7 Winners: Hola Skoko
- Under 7 Runners up: PSG
In addition to the tournament results, Akhlaaq (Character) awards were also presented to certain teams. This recognition aimed to highlight the importance of good sportsmanship and character development at a young age.
The winners of the Akhlaaq awards in each age group were as follows:
- Under 6: Al Falaah
- Under 7: All Stars
- Under 9: Old Eds
- Under 11: Kinross FC
- Under 13: KZN Lyons
- Under 15: Newcastle
The Wahda Soccer Festival in Laudium was an outstanding event, showcasing youth talent, fostering healthy competition, and promoting the values of sportsmanship. The participation of teams from different regions added a touch of diversity and excitement to the festival, making it a memorable experience for all involved.
The Wahda committee has wasted no time in planning for the next year's tournament. By announcing the dates well in advance, they are giving teams and fans ample time to prepare and make arrangements to attend the event.
Holding the tournament over three days, from September 27th to September 29th, will ensure a packed schedule with plenty of exciting soccer matches for everyone to enjoy. It seems like the committee is keen on building on the success of the recent festival and are looking forward to another successful tournament in 2024.
Photo credit: Hilaal TV
