TEAM TALK: Valhalla United FC coach Sherwin Souls addresses his squad during the Easter weekend's Bayhilll Premier Cup, at Erica Park, in Belhar.
Image: Supplied
Easter is always a glorious time for local football fans.
The much anticipated annual under-19 Bayhill Premier Cup sees games (and goals) coming thick and fast at Belhar’s Erica Park Stadium.
It's a wonderful time of year, for teams taking part and the fans enjoying the soccer and entertainment.
This year's 36th edition of the tournament opened up with some confusion about whether media had to pay to cover the event, the non-arrival of a team from Ghana, and high prices of gate taking.
However, after all was said and done, the tournament showed that it is the best in the country if not the continent. Judging by the attendance, one would conclude that it has won the hearts and souls of many soccer lovers.
The tournament continued with pride and had a successful four days. It maintained its standard of good football from the youngsters, but I write this not to praise the organisers but the participants.
For the second year in succession, my eyes have caught the vibe brought by a team from what many of us know as a dangerous area, where gang shootings are the order of the day. When you talk about it, everybody lifts their heads. This place is Valhalla Park, near Gugulethu.
Bayhill organisers should create a special award for the community of Valhalla Park and their soccer team. The team’s playing style progression was enjoyable, and the vibe from their supporters was out of this world. No team in that tourney has followers like Valhalla Park. The crowd was able to create a whimsical atmosphere with songs, ululating and whistling.
The team itself was able to compete with the best - the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town Spurs. The latter teams are favourites of the tournament every year, but boy or boy, the Valhalla players were not just in the tournament to make up numbers.
It felt great watching them and their fanbase and it felt great to be a fan of Valhalla Park. This is one of the teams that perhaps should automatically be in the tournament, although they would most probably want to earn their way in. By doing so, the tournament would have contributed immensely to efforts to end violence in that area.
The club’s youngsters and supporters have shown that sport is much better than guns and drugs. Those who are behind the team have sent a clear message: that they are ‘gatvol’ of what has been happening in the community.
We should all rally behind their efforts and show support. Although Ubuntu were the winners and team of the tournament, for me, Valhalla United deserve this title as much.