Neighbours, Amajuba District girls under 19 and the UThukela District Municipality boys under 17 teams, have emerged as the champions of the inaugural KZN Provincial Under 19 development tournament.

The competition is run by the Department of Sport and Recreation in conjunction with the South African Football Association in the province, (SAFA-KZN). The games were played over two days over the weekend in KwaDukuza on the KZN north coast.

It is for the first time since its establishment three years ago that the event was played as the under 19 championship. Previously it has been played as the under 17 category.

All the clubs had been selected at district level with all the district municipalities and Ethekwini Metro sending in both males and females teams.

Amajuba beat last year’s under 17 champions Umgungundlovu, and Uthukela Beat Zululand at the finals played at the Groutville Grounds, a stone’s throw away from the home of the former ANC President Inkosi Albert Luthuli.

The young players impressed the dignitaries including the MEC for Sport and Recreation, Mr. Amichand Rajbansi. Minister Rajbansi emphasised the importance of tournaments like these more especially in the run up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup in this country next year.

National Banyana Banyana coach Augustine Makalakalane, as well as a number of other talent scouts, attended the games. He was impressed with the talent displayed by some of the players and may make some positive announcements soon.

The event also saw the handing over of level 1 SAFA accredited football coaching certificates to a number of aspiring coaches.

The closing ceremony featured entertainment by the popular Durban musicians, Big Nuz, DJ Tira and DJ Rice as well as some aspiring local acts.