2013 marks a milestone year for Engen, as they celebrate 10 years of supporting youth football. After a decade, the tournament has entrenched its position as one of the country's premier platforms for spotting promising football talent and plays a major role in the development of young players in South Africa.
In celebration of Engen's 10th anniversary of the Engen Knockout Challenge, one player per region from non-professional clubs will be selected to fly up to the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. During their stay there, they will experience what it is like to live the life of a professional footballer.
Their stay will include activities such as sport science training, technical sessions, bleep tests, psychology talks and many other activities that will be beneficial to their growth as footballers. Additionally, scouts from across South Africa will be able to look at these players. Engen is excited to be able to afford five players the opportunity to advance their sporting career.
Created specifically to promote competitive conditions for under 17's, the challenge levels the playing fields, affording young football players an equal chance to perform to their best potential in the hope of being scouted and the opportunity of transforming their lives. Since the inception of the event, Engen has contributed to the exposure and birthing of many of the current football champions through the Engen Knockout Challenge.
All in all, the Engen Knockout Challenge has influenced the lives of up to 18,000 participants across South Africa. Sixteen teams in each of five regions participate either by invitation and/or through qualifying rounds, playing a total of 48 matches over three days. One of the key rules and life-skill elements of the tournament is that all teams stay throughout the duration of the tournament so they can continue to learn and support their contemporaries.
"Our vision remains to support the development in football as a part of community cohesion. We look forward to this youth tournament each year as it is instrumental in providing development and exposure opportunities for the young football enthusiast who would traditionally not be able to participate in an event of this stature," commented Brad Bergh, Engen group sponsorship manager.
The Engen Knockout Challenge will take place at William Herbert Sport Complex on 16-18 August 2013.
For more information, go to www.thepeoplesteam.co.za.
