2011 Danone Nations Cup: Provincial finals kick off in Polokwane

In the eyes of a child, the boots of their National soccer hero seem way too big to fill, but there is a tournament that puts experienced players on the stands and the young talent on the field. The Danone Nations Cup gives youngsters the chance to make the shoe fit and become soccer stars in their own right.

The Danone Nations Cup has become the biggest soccer tournament for children between the ages of 10 and 12 and the 2011 qualifiers are currently underway in all 40 countries that will be participating in the World Finals happening in October. In South Africa there are approximately 3 000 primary schools that compete and the 2011 first Provincial final is set to happen on Saturday, 26 March at Seshego sports ground C in Polokwane.

The reigning Limpopo champions, Dorothy Langa Primary School (Capricorn region), are at it again this year, but Kgwahlele Primary (Waterberg region), Mafemane Primary (Sekhukhune region), Benny’s Care Primary (Vhembe region) and Lerale Primary (Mopani region) are keen to dethrone them.

Manager of the Dorothy Langa team, Enos Hlako, is confident that his squad will perform well again this year. “This will be the third consecutive year that we have made it to the Provincial finals, and I am sure we are going to do very well this year,” he comments. “These small boys will make your head spin when you see them play! We know the route to the top and we have the assets - now is the time to show what we are made of and to get to the National final.”

But winning a spot at the top is not the most important objective of this tournament, according to Sandra Dorville, Communications Manager of Danone South Africa. “The mission of Group Danone as a company is to bring health through food to as many people as possible,” she explains. “In this day and age it is very important to start teaching the value of a healthy diet at a young age.”

“What we wanted to do when we launched the tournament was to promote healthy eating habits by means of having fun and leading by example. In other words, while the children are involved in the tournament they will learn the value of good healthy food,” says Dorville. “We also emphasise the values of team spirit, respect and fair play to our developing young footballers.”

Last year’s national Danone Nations Cup winners, Sinenzuzo Primary from Hamandale in KwaZulu-Natal, received an unusual prize in the form of food gardens planted at the school and at each team member’s house.  Not only do these organic gardens bolster food-growing efforts in the area in the long-term, but they are already producing crops that contain the vitamins and minerals that kids require as they grow.

The excitement all starts at Seshego sports grounds in Polokwane on 26 March at the Limpopo Provincial finals. Spectators are welcome. Come see tomorrow’s stars starting their career today under the watchful eye of Kamohelo Mokotjo. The defending midfielder now playing for Dutch club Feyenoord also previously played in the Danone Nations Cup and is South Africa’s ambassador in the competition this year.

This year’s world finals of the Danone Nations Cup will be hosted by current FIFA World Cup champions, Spain, in October. There, the winner of each country (40 in total) will play it out for the world title. Each team is flown to and accommodated in Spain, compliments of Group Danone. Each country decides how they find their winning team, but most countries select through their school system. 

“Since its inception in 2000 the Danone Nations Cup has grown from 8 participating countries to 40.  Logistically we cannot take in any more countries so it is a case of first come first serve. South Africa has been involved since the tournament started and we hope to keep the momentum going and give our youth many more years of excitement,” said Dorville.