Zaid Omar, owner of FC Kapstadt, has seemingly done and seen it all. Yet his relentless ambition and unwavering commitment to raising the bar continue to set him apart.
A seasoned media professional with nearly three decades of experience in broadcasting and production, Omar is not one to rest on past achievements. Progressive in his thinking and uncompromising in his pursuit of excellence, he has little tolerance for mediocrity.
As he has demonstrated with every edition of the Kapstadt Cup over the years, Omar has consistently found ways to raise the bar.
As far-fetched as it may sound, had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic, international giants Liverpool could well have been part of his tournament.
To make matters more challenging, the title sponsor subsequently withdrew, forcing Omar to dig deep, rely on his vast experience and tap into an extensive network to keep the event alive and thriving.
Knowing Omar as many do, he would probably be the first to say: “This is not about me.”
Yet the reality is that the Kapstadt Cup remains his brainchild and, with or without the backing of major sponsors, he has continually elevated the tournament to new heights.
Friday night’s launch and draw at Brickfield Canvas in Salt River provided further proof of that commitment to excellence. Guests were welcomed by an impressive red carpet before passing through a black-and-white balloon-draped entrance, instantly creating the feeling that they were arriving at a major international football event rather than a local tournament draw.
Who attends a football tournament launch expecting such attention to detail?
From the décor and ambience to the professionalism of the evening’s proceedings, every aspect reflected the ambition and vision that have become synonymous with the Kapstadt Cup brand.
Adding further value to the occasion was charismatic MC Sizwe Mbebe, better known as “Umjaka”, whose football knowledge and effortless hosting style kept the audience engaged throughout the evening.
The expert panel was equally impressive, featuring former Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town tactician Muhsin Ertugral, while Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis joined the discussion virtually via Skype.
One must also mention the “Arsène Wenger of Cape Town football”, Boebie Solomons, who represented Camps Bay FC at the youth spectacle Even Grassy Park United’s owner, Zaahier Witbooi attended the event.
It was far more than a launch and draw. It was informative football discussions, and those in attendance will be the first to acknowledge that they left with valuable insights, stories and anecdotes from some of the game’s most respected figures.
So, whether one agrees with Omar or not, there is no denying his passion for the game and his relentless drive to transform the tournament into something bigger and better with each passing year.
Credit must also go to corporate partners and sponsors such as Mike’s Sports, Mitre Africa, Showreel FX as well as its venue partner in Generation Schools Sandown who have selflessly contributed towards the growth and development of the local football landscape. That said this must also be a challenge for other stakeholders to play their role in society.
The tournament, themed “A Truly African Experience”, kicks off from 30 September to 4 October and will be played across various venues in Cape Town. Omar remains confident that the coveted trophy will return to the Mother City this year.
“(Mamelodi) Sundowns will undoubtedly want to successfully defend their title, but I have a feeling it will come back to Cape Town where it belongs,” Omar joked.
PHOTOS SUPPLIED FC KAPSTADT
