The Diski99 Cup, an annual event at the Ga-Rankuwa View Sports Grounds, has become a beacon of hope for the community’s youth, many of whom strive to attract the attention of attending talent scouts.
This year marks the fourth year of the competition, and professional clubs have signed many of the talented players who came out of the tournament.
Over 3 000 fervent supporters will be rooting for their favourite teams every day to win the tournament during the 2025 edition, which will take place between June 14 and 16.
The tournament has evolved into a way of life where dreams come true rather than just another typical competition.
It is anticipated that just under 1 000 players will take part in the annual event.
Masters football tournament
This year’s event will include aerobics, a 5km fun walk, 30km cycling, netball for U-19s and U-15s, and football for boys and girls under 15 and U-19s.
The icing on the cake will be the Masters football tournament, where players from the past and present will play for the teams of their choice.
Officers from SAPS and the Department of Justice will also take to the football field.
The Mathews Mpete Foundation is behind this drive to reinvigorate this township sports spirit in the local community.
Professional teams such as Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and Moroka Swallows once played on the local grounds, but they have since abandoned them.
The foundation wants to prevent this deterioration and keep the establishment from becoming another drug den.
Mathews Mpete, the founder, says that the typical funding struggle has made creating these games difficult.
Wary of giving out prize money
Mpete is appreciative that the City of Tshwane, Mokoepa Security and Red Neo Security, sports betting behemoth Hollywoodbets Foundation, and fibre network operator Net Nine Nine have joined forces.
“I must commend my executives who are volunteering their time and energy for the development of sports in Ga-Rankuwa. I will not take their dedication for granted.’ Mpete says.
“It all started as killing time for others, but now our players are more focused after seeing their friends reap the rewards of being committed. Dreams start somewhere, and for Ga-Rankuwa, it starts right here.”
He emphasised that they have been wary of giving out prize money because doing so typically results in chaos and ends up ruining such events because coaches and players would vie for the money and argue over who should get it more.
“Our prizes are tools that the clubs would need for a long time, like soccer kits, balls, cones, nets, corner flags, and many other things donated by different partners,” he said.
“The finalists of each division, be it netball or soccer, will win a new full playing kit for matches. There are also uniquely designed trophies, as well as custom-made medals.”
