COPA
Coca-Cola has played a pivotal role in developing football heroes for the
benefit of the junior national teams, and culminating in the Senior Men’s Team
as evidenced through the 2013 official tournament brand ambassador and current
Orlando Pirates right-back Happy Jele.
This
year more lucrative incentives have been put before the 2000 participating
schools from around the country, including an opportunity to showcase their
talent at the National Finals scheduled for 10-13 October 2013, recruitment into
the All Star Invitational Team and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of
the International COPA Camp.
“We
are delighted with the commencement of the 2013 COPA Coca-Cola tournament and
are also excited about the new initiatives we have introduced such as the All
Star Invitational Team and the International COPA Camp in Brazil next year,
where the most promising youngsters will be selected to participate,” said
Coca-Cola South Africa’s Marketing Assets Manager, Fetsi Mbele.
“COPA
Coca-Cola encourages teens from a young age to be involved in physical activity
as part of an active healthy lifestyle not only on the football field but also
through the various recognition ceremonies in schools where we will further
engage with teens.
“This
being our seventh edition of the COPA Coca-Cola tournament in partnership with
The South African Schools Football Association (SASFA), the number of
youngsters and schools have increased every year with a total of 2 000 schools
and an incredible 30 000 footballers expected to take part this year,”
concluded Mbele.
In
addition, this year Coca-Cola hosted recognition ceremonies for the
participating heroes at their various schools to the cheers of their fellow
learners. This initiative is aimed at
fostering support and acknowledgement for the teams.
