|
Maccabi soccer in spotlight
17/07/2008 16:40 - (SA)
Cape Town - Come June 2009, South African soccer will be under the international glare - but it won't be only for the Confederations Cup or the World Cup a year later.
And this side won't be coached by Joel Santana, for it is the South African Maccabi team which will represent the country at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel, a Jewish event similar to the Olympics, which is held every four years.
In previous years, the soccer event at the Maccabiah Games has been competitive for the South Africans, but this time round, there's the added pressure of putting on a good performance in the eyes of the international public, due to South Africa's hosting of the biggest event on the planet, the World Cup in 2010.
Unlike our Bafana Bafana side, these men have to literally pay to play and have launched a fund-raising effort in order to be able to represent their country in Israel in 2009.
The first of such events is the 021 Auto Maccabi Soccer Tournament, which is to be held on Sunday, July 20, at the Van Riebeeck Field in Vredehoek, Cape Town.
It's a five-a-side event with 28 sides and fantastic prizes on offer for players and fans from the tournament sponsors.
Despite it being a fundraiser, the organisers and sponsors are looking to give back as well, with a Seven Spur Coaching Clinic organised for underprivileged kids and for Maccabi youngsters, giving children from different cultures the opportunity to interact through the medium of sport.
Other fun events planned for the day include a ladies' match between the 021 Auto Ladies and the Redbull Ladies.
Half-time entertainment includes a juggler as well as some great beats. Also, look out for your very own Sport24 team and banners as we jump on board as the media partners.
The event kicks off at 09:00 and runs through most of Sunday, so if you want to get into the spirit of the 2010 World Cup and support a worthy cause then the 021 Auto Maccabi Soccer Fundraiser is the way to go.
- News24
|
