The
Engen Knockout Challenge 2013, official draw revealed the teams that will
participate in the Cape Town leg of this highly anticipated tournament which
took place at Athlone Stadium. Kicking
off for three days of action, on 16 August, hosts, Santos FC, under the
guidance of Tournament Director, Gilbert Kruger, will welcome 16 clubs to these
exceptional sports grounds, in their effort to be crowned 2013 champions.
2013
marks a milestone year for Engen, as they celebrate 10 years of supporting
youth football. After a decade, the tournament has entrenched its position as
one of the country’s premier platforms for spotting promising football talent
and plays a major role in the development of young players in South Africa.
In
celebration of Engen’s 10th Anniversary of the Engen Knockout Challenge, one
player per region from non-professional clubs will be selected to fly up to the
High Performance Centre in Pretoria. During their stay there, they will
experience what it is like to live the life of a professional footballer.
Their
stay will include activities such as Sport Science Training, Technical
sessions, bleep tests, psychology talks and many other activities that will be
beneficial to their growth as footballers. Additionally, scouts from across
South Africa will be able to look at these players. So Engen is excited to be
able to afford five players with the opportunity to advance their sporting
career.
Created
specifically to promote competitive conditions for under 17’s; the challenge
levels the playing fields, affording young football players an equal chance to
perform to their best potential in the hope of being scouted and the
opportunity of transforming their lives. Since the inception of the event,
Engen has contributed to the exposure and birthing of many of the current
football champions through the Engen Knockout Challenge.
All
in all, the Engen Knockout Challenge has influenced the lives of up to 18 000
participants across South Africa.
Sixteen teams in each of five regions participate either by invitation
and/or through qualifying rounds, play a total of 48 matches over three
days. One of the key rules and life
skill elements of the tournament is that all teams stay throughout the duration
of the tournament so they can continue to learn and support their contemporaries.
“Our
vision remains to support the development in football as a part of community
cohesion. We look forward to this youth tournament each year as it is
instrumental in providing development and exposure opportunities for the young
football enthusiast who would traditionally not be able to participate in an
event of this stature”, commented Brad Bergh, Engen Group Sponsorship Manager.
