Registration for the 2018 edition
of the largest soccer tournament in the world for kids between 10 and 12 years
is open. Schools across the country are invited to become part of the Danone
Nations Cup, which touches the lives of over 2 million people annually.
2018 will be the 19th
edition of the tournament, which is the brain child of Danone, the biggest
global producer of dairy products. South Africa has been participating in
the tournament since its inception and has won the world title three times: in
2003, 2007 and 2009.
The tournament is run in
partnership with the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) and it
comprises games beginning at cluster level, with winning schools progressing to
regional and then provincial levels, culminating in the national finals where
the national champion team that will represent the country at the Danone
Nations Cup World Finals is identified.
Last year, over 2 700 schools
registered to play in the initial rounds of the tournament, which is the most
to have registered in the history of the tournament in this country.
In 2017, for the first time,
schools belonging to the Johannesburg Primary Schools Football Association
joined the tournament. They hosted their own final with Reddam House of
Bedfordview, beating King David Sandton and going on to compete in the Gauteng
provincial finals. The number of schools from the association is expected
to grow substantially in 2018.
Among the schools who are
expected to be the first to enter are Benny’s Sports Development and Academy
from Limpopo (2016 national champions) and the defending champions, Mophela
Primary School from KwaZulu-Natal. The former school, under coach Mbishi
Mokwena, has already started preparing their team.
The basis on which the competing
nations decide on their champion team differs from country to country. In South
Africa it is an inter-school competition. Other countries send their top club
youth sides or academy teams, whilst others select regional or even national
teams at under-12 level.
The Danone Nations Cup is built
on fundamental principles: participation, friendship, accessibility and fair
play. The message is to believe in your dreams and to promote healthy living
through sport to as many people as possible in the world.
The eventual 2018 South African
national champion team will be going to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals at
a venue still to be decided.
To register for the tournament
please contact Themba Tshabalala at SASFA:
thembatshabalala@saschoolsfa.co.za
or 072 588 4957
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