Not even load shedding could put a damper on the mood and excitement at the launch of the 13th edition of the Spar Mookrey Group Rygate LFA Cubs Festival held at the Rylands Hall on Monday (11 September).
It was an event where participating clubs made the most of the “darkness” and chilly weather. Needless to say, the snacks provided by the organisers provided some much-needed warmth and definitely comforted the members of the respective clubs.
The Cubs Festival, which caters for the ages from under 6 to under 10, is undoubtedly the biggest youth spectacle in Africa and kicks off on October 3rd, with the finals on October 7th, 2023, at the Johnson Road Sports Complex
Safa Cape Town president Bennett Bailey, and also director of the Cubs festival, officially opened proceedings – with many dignitaries and stakeholders who have all joined forces to ensure that the young future stars have a platform to shine and make new friends.
“With the development of this Festival, you would have seen there is an explosion now of under 17, u.18 and u.19 competitions. There are participants who played in the Rygate Cubs who are now making a name for themselves in the higher age groups. We have introduced young people in the competition and they have remained there,” Bailey pointed out.
It was also at the very same event whereby DA Councillor Aslam Cassiem (Ward 46) made a very profound, but very true statement: Rygate is the Mecca of football in the Mother City, and it is visible on the eye as it is always buzzing, from Friday evening until a Sunday. They have outgrown the facility, hence the need for an astroturf, ” Cassiem emphatically stated.
Needless to say, Councillor Anthony Moses (Ward 49) is envious of the Rygate LFA’s initiative and acknowledged that he wants to replicate the Cubs Festival in the Heideveld area.
“This event is clearly about bringing communities together and therefore I want it to bring the ubuntu feeling to the community,” Moses pointed out.
The Mayco member Patricia van der Ross also highlighted that the onus is on the communities to ensure the longevity of their infrastructures at the local sporting fields as the current state of affairs across most sporting fields are not up to scratch.
“It is also incumbent on the communities to ensure that there is a safe haven for their children to play sports and to lead an active and healthy lifestyle from a young age,” she added.
