KEY ADDRESS: Master of ceremonies, Lesley de Vos and guest speaker Duncan Crowie, right, at the launch of the 36th edition of the Bayhill under-19 Premier Cup, at Cape Town Civic Centre, at the weekend.
Image: Mark Ward
The role of coaches in developing young footballers is somewhat underplayed in a team's success, says Cape soccer legend Duncan Crowie, who has a long history in youth development.
Speaking at the launch of the 36th edition of the Bayhill Premier at the Mayoral Banqueting Hall at the Cape Town Civic Centre on Saturday, Crowie says while he agrees with the tournament’s slogan “Where legends are Born” a thought should be spared for who develops the “legends”.
Crowie says the list of players who have emerged from this tournament to become “legends” is probably unending, but nobody talks about the coaches who developed them.
“Yes, it's all about the players and they must be first but there are dedicated coaches who mould these players and they are also legends who emerged from the tournament,” says Crowie.
He went on to urge coaches to work harder and to concentrate on aspects such as technical development, physical conditioning, mental strength, psychosocial awareness and nutrition of the players.
“I want to leave players with this thought: Hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard. In the words of our former president Nelson Mandela: 'If I don’t win, I must learn.'"
He also urged players not to think they can't beat some of the top teams associated with pro clubs in this country because it has been proven before in the tournament that smaller teams can beat the big guns.
Thabu Tutu, director of sports promotion at the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, says the true potential is yet to be realised in establishing the tournament as the leading youth tournament on the African continent.
“We as a department are feverously working to assist the tournament in securing a sponsorship. We have arranged a range of meetings with the organisers and SAFA in our bid to realise this objective. Another concern for us is the support for local clubs who are all battling for resources, like for instance transport,” said Tutu.
He also announced his department has pledged R200 000 in financial support for the event.
Medeama Sport Club from Ghana and two teams from neighbouring Namibia, CBS Talents and Riverheights, will be vying for honours as teams from across the border.
Previously teams from five other African nations participated, Komeshu ( Namibia), Zesco (Zambia), Windhoek Gymnasium (Namibia), Athletic Club (Namibia), Young Warriors, Aces Academy (both, Zimbabwe), Galant Academy (Kenya), Mazzini Sundowns, Young Buffaloes (both, Swaziland), Dipetsana (Botswana), Bahlabani ( Lesotho,Diamond United, Otjozondjupa (both Namibia).
Meanwhile, champions Cape Town Spurs, who also won the tournament in 2022 and ended runners-up in 2023, will this year be competing in Group H along with CBS Talents, Stanturf from Mitchells Plain and Nyanga's FC Porto.
LAUNCH: Bayhill United chaiirman John Rangoli, second from left, receives back the Premier Cup trophy from Radhi Waggi, captain of defending champions Cape Town Spurs, at Saturday's launch. Pictured, from left, are Dr Randall Ortel, Rangoli, Waggie, Tabu Tutu, director sports development at the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and; Safa Cape Town president, Bennett Bailey.
Image: Mark Ward
FLAIR: Eilio Namuhuja entertains the audience at the launch of this year's Bayhill Premier Cup.
Image: Mark Ward
GROUPS: The groups as drawn at this year's Bayhill under-19 Premier Cup launch
Image: Fuad Esack