The youth must make informed decisions, said a representative of Matsila Youth Soccer Tournament, Vhamusanda Vho-Livhuwani Matsila, during the prize-giving ceremony held at Majosi after the tournament ended on Saturday.
Tiyani FC emerged as the champions after beating Master KG 3-2 in the final match.
Local traditional leader Vhamusanda Vho-Livhuwani Matsila, who also sponsored the event, said that they would make sure that the tournament was staged annually, with the sponsorship growing every year.
"It is our obligation to ensure that the society in which we are living is healthy and sponsoring participation in sport is a step in the right direction," he said. Matsila said that the aim was to boost the development of rural young people. He appealed to the youth to take their education seriously if they wanted to get somewhere in life.
The local councillor, Ernest Bamuza, said that a nation without education was doomed and would not develop. "Let us help prepare our youth to be responsible members of society who can contribute positively to the development of our country," he said. He encouraged local businesspeople to continue sponsoring different sporting codes, saying sport was a unifying factor among people.
The winners of the tournament, Tiyani FC, received R20 000, two soccer kits, gold medals, 21 pairs of soccer boots and a soccer ball. The runners-up, Master KG, went home with R10 000, silver medals, two soccer kits, 21 pairs of soccer boots and a soccer ball. The third-placed team, Bebs FC, received R4 000, bronze medals and a soccer ball, while Mabuza FC, who ended fourth, received R2 000.