The Bayhill Premier Cup may have lost a title sponsor over the years, but no one can deny that this under-19 soccer spectacle has definitely not lost its shine, prestige, glamour and interest.
It goes without saying that after 35 years this youth spectacle remains the flagship football event on the local sporting calendar.
Needless to say, it is a big deal for clubs to participate in the event and an even bigger dream for players to accomplish during their youth careers as it served as a launchpad for so many former and current professional players who all at one stage during their careers got the tongues wagging at this event.
Last year it was Cape Town Spurs’ Luke “Boere” Baartman who set the finals alight with his dazzling display and eye for goals.
Even though Boere and his Spurs teammates ended up on the losing side after being shocked by Grassy Park United in the final at the Athlone Stadium, the former Riverside Rangers’ product still walked away with the individual award of Player of the Tournament.
Which begs the question, who will raise his hand in the next finals over the Easter Weekend at Erica Park when the 33rd edition will be played with the Final scheduled for 1st April 2024 at the Athlone Stadium?
Meanwhile, the organizers also need to be commended in their quest to ensure that this spectacle is accessible to all parts of society after they’ve chosen the Solo Street Sports Field in Retreat as the venue for the first round of qualifiers to be played on Saturday and Sunday (28 and 29 October).
This is the first time in the tournament’s history that it will be showcased in the Southern Suburbs and the football-loving community in and around “Spoek se land”, as the venue is affectionately known, is certainly in for a treat.
This will be followed by the penultimate round of qualifiers at the same venue before the William Herbert Sports Complex in Wynberg plays host to the final round of qualification on the weekend of 27 and 28 January where there will certainly be tears of joy for those who have qualified for the main event and tears of sorrow for those who will have to wait another year.
