Local soccer followers, especially those in the northern areas, could not believe their eyes when they saw the action and buzz back in Northdale Stadium.
During the long weekend of the Easter holidays, the well-attended third edition of the annual Mayoral Easter Tournament at the historic soccer venue came to life as it was well-sponsored and professionally organised.
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The pitch, change rooms, rest-rooms (under the main grandstand), and the floodlights seemed to be in good working conditions for all four days of the event.
The event was also well-funded and some of the sponsors included KFC, aQuelle, Gagasi FM and Royal AM.
Security was also very tight and strategically deployed around the venue as the Msunduzi Municipality’s safety and security personnel could be clearly seen at the main entrance, outside the stadium and around the field.
Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla said the event was about developing sport and also showcasing what the City of Choice can offer when it comes to the field of play.
Thebolla told The Witness that he was excited the event was getting bigger and attracting more business partners.
We are all very proud; three years ago we started very small, gradually grew and look at us today. There are a lot of teams that took part in this year’s event and that’s why the action started on Friday and the finals on Sunday
“Well done and congratulations to the winners and we would like to praise or thank all the participants that took part,” said Thebolla.
The mayor said he was prepared to work around the clock to make sure that the event became the main attraction to visitors during the Easter holidays.
“In the future we would like to see this tournament become a must-attend when you are around Pietermaritzburg and KwaZulu-Natal. Our goal is to see this tournament becoming the topic, main attraction and a tourism reason to visit our city every year.
“Also our dream is to see this event attracting teams not only from around Pietermaritzburg, but all over KZN,” said Thebolla.
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The final of the senior men’s encounter was between the star-studded, hard-running and experienced Wartburg United (pictured) and underrated Star City.
The uMshwathi-based outfit showed from the outset that they meant business and they outplayed their opponents.
They outsmarted, outmuscled and outscored Star City. Eventually United won 4-0, with goals scored by Ndunduzo Mkhize (two), Siboniso Khoza and Zwelakhe Phoswa.
The winners of the women’s stream were Royal AM and the runners-up were the youthful-looking Dlala Ntombazana.