Swedish multi national, SKF, headquartered in Gothenburg, takes social responsibility to heart and this knowledge engineering company donates time and funds to development of sport and other skills in communities and schools.
The Gothia Cup is undoubtedly the best known for encouraging young soccer talent and in 2006 SKF decided to sponsor the Gothia Cup for three years, a tournament that has been hailed as one of most popular youth football tournaments in the world. Sweden has been hosting the Gothia Cup for the past 30 years and South Africa's winners of the SKF 'Meet the World Tournament' South Africa, the Junior Lions, who left local shores to compete with some of best juniors in the world, played a game that thrilled supporters that came to Sweden from far and wide to watch the 2010 Gothia Cup. The Junior Lions finished the top 16 out of 144 teams, the spectators loved them and they remained firm favourites of a soccer crowd that clearly recognised the talent, passion and heart that South African youngsters displayed.
SKF South Africa is mindful of the many local schools and clubs that simply do not have facilities or funds to develop young soccer talent, and the annual Gothia Cup Tournament, in association with Sports Midfield Agency, plays a substantial part in discovering underprivileged young soccer players that, given the opportunity to develop their talent with the right guidance, can take the game to new heights,. And South Africa's youngsters can play the game - the SKF 'Meet the World Tournament' South Africa winners, the 2010 Junior Lions, left OR Thambo International on Saturday 17th July 2010, en route to Sweden where they competed against the worlds best juniors, emerging as crowd favourites, never conceding a goal and finishing in the top 16 of a tournament attracts many teams from many countries. The future of 'the beautiful game' looks bright with rising stars like South Africa's Junior Lions!
These youngsters have never had the opportunity for international travel so when the Junior Lions left South African fields for Swedish fields, the excitement at OR Thambo was palpable and the nerves somewhat frayed given that for most of the players it was the first experience of air travel, visiting a new, very far away and very foreign country, competing against strong young players from across the world - a series of 'firsts' but the Junior Lions kept their cool. Parents, family, friends and other well wishers bid the team a fond farewell, wished them the best of South African luck and the Junior Lions were airborne, en route to Frankfurt and then on to Gothenburg, Sweden for the Gothia Cup 2010.
And they were off to a 'flying' start. The Junior Lions won their first game on Monday 19th July, in Group 1, Boys Under 18 by 5 goals to 0 and keeping up the momentum they did it again on Tuesday 20th July, beating strong Swedish contenders - IFK Mora FK by 3 goals to 0. the star of the game was Themba who scored a hat trick for his team.
Continuing their winning streak, the Junior Lions roared to a six goal victory at their third game. Thursday morning, 22 July, saw the Lions playing their fourth game and they once again proved their mettle by beating a strong and very physical Swedish team by 2 goals to 0. This triumph placed them in the top 32 of 144 teams in their group - Boys under 18. Strikers Themba and Luca scored the two goals but Themba was quite seriously injures after a tackle and was out of the tournament.
Thursday afternoon 22nd July, the Junior Lions faced a strong German team, undaunted, but without one of their most talented players, and again emerged triumphant, beating the Germans by 3 goals to 0! In the absence of star striker Themba, another star, Scara stepped up to the goal, scoring the second hat trick for the Junior Lions who were now placed in the top 16 of the 144 teams, without conceding a single goal.
Thursday 22nd July tested the strength, fitness and commitment of the Junior Lions to the limit - having played morning and afternoon games - the latter proving a difficult, physical game. The Junior Lions played their third game of the day as scheduled at 20.45 and put their hearts and minds into playing at their best and although this win was not to be, the Junior Lions went down fighting playing to a nil all draw.
They went into a penalty shootout but despite goalkeeper Eddie's two excellent saves, the Lions failed to convert two penalties and went down 2 goals to 3 - but to massive applause as they were still the crowd favourites.
The Junior Lions scored a total of 19 goals and was the only team in the tournament not to concede a single goal in normal play - a major achievement in any tournament and the spectators acknowledged the commitment and the passion that this young South African team brought to the 2010 Gothia Cup with rousing applause.
It was a glittering tournament for the Junior Lions with Themba the highest goal scorer for the team. Mike Fola of Sports Midfield Agency cc says that the whole team played brilliantly and that his choice for Man of tournament in Sweden would be Centre Defender, Asaf Lebosta.
The Junior Lions received a rapturous welcome from proud South Africans when they returned to local shores on Monday 26th July 2010 and SKF South Africa congratulates a team that played the game with determination and passion. They showed other young global contenders that South Africa has talent and is a force to be reckoned with on the soccer fields of the world. The company also wishes to thank Mike for his passionate involvement with the team- from training, to motivation, to coaching, to supporting. Also a word of thanks to the SKF staff and their families who were at OR Thambo to welcome the Junior Lions home.
Two of the Junior Lions are already reaping the benefits of the Swedish experience. Mike reports that Lehlonolo Makhala, the vice captain of the team, was invited to the SA National U17 team where he has been attending national camp. He played one local friendly before traveling to Lesotho to debut his first international cap, representing South Africa against Lesotho, beating Lesotho 2 goals to 1. Lehlonolo was on the field for 80 minutes and SAFA has indicated that he will become a regular to the national squad in preparation for the U17 World Cup in 2011.
Themba Mavundla has made national print and electronic headlines with Czech Republic and Swedish Club sides showing keen interest in this young star.
However, local clubs were quick to spot talent and South Africa first division club, Black Leopards, invited Themba to a trial. He played brilliantly and was invited to join the team but declined because Moroka Swallows first team (Premiership side), requested that he reports for training with them.
Sports Midfield Agency cc remains focused on making a difference in the sport fraternity and SKF South Africa continues to invest time and money into local communities in order to assist young people to live up to their full potential.
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