Engen introduce Champs of Champs

This year Engen proudly introduces a new innovation called the Engen Champs of Champs where the winners of each region's Under-17 Engen Knockout Challenge will be flown to Gauteng to compete for the ultimate prize, to be crowned the first ever Engen Champs of Champs.

The new event emphasises the growth and demand of the tournament and will take place in October hosted by Engen’s new partner, SuperSport United Football Club in Pimville, Soweto.

The announcement was made by Group Sponsorship Manager at Engen, Brad Bergh, at the launch of South Africa’s most prestigious U-17 youth football tournament at the Gelvandale Sports complex in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, 10 June.

“After 10 years of our involvement in youth development football, we felt it was time to take the next step in terms of creating a new event where South Africa’s best compete against each other in the Champs of Champs, elevating the level of the tournament to a much higher level,” Bergh said.

"The Under-17 Engen Knockout Challenge and Engen Champs of Champs offer a great experience for all, where the general public is invited to come and enjoy the entertainment by local DJs, food and refreshments as well as some activities for the youngsters."

The Under-17 Engen Knockout Challenge, aimed at unearthing soccer starts of the future, will be played from June through to August in five regions - Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Durban, Gauteng and Cape Town. Thulani Serero, Ronwen Williams and Keegan Dolly are some of more than 50 stars who came through the event.

Over the years the Under-17 Engen Knockout Challenge has influenced the lives of some 18 000 participants across South Africa.

Sixteen teams in each of the five regions play a total of 48 matches over three days. In each region the teams will be divided into groups and play a round robin format before the knockout stage.

City Lads from the New Brighton township hold the record of being the only team in Port Elizabeth to have played in every tournament since its inception. And in each time they have featured in either the finals or semifinals. Last year they lost in the finals to Victoria Park High School who will once again be playing in the tournament.

"This is a great opportunity for our youngsters who would otherwise be lost to social evils like drugs and gangsterism," Safa-NMB president Monde Mhlethwa said.

"The metro does not have a professional team and most of our talented youngsters are at a dead end. It is at tournaments like these that they can showcase their talent and hopefully be spotted by scouts (from professional teams from other parts of the country).

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