Young football takes the spotlight with the launch of the winter development tournament by Ace Auto Ayoba.  

The Ayoba-Yo Youth Soccer Academy is set to host an exciting U13 and U15 Youth Development Winter Tournament from June 30 to July 18, with the finals scheduled to take place on Mandela Day.

The event promises to be a celebration of youth talent and grassroots football development, focusing on nurturing the next generation of players.

The tournament is open exclusively to Ekurhuleni Development Teams, featuring 16 teams per age group. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, progressing to the quarterfinals, with both plate and main finals scheduled for each category.

This inclusive structure ensures that all participating teams receive maximum game time—one of the tournament’s core objectives.

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“Our goal is simple: to give our junior players as much time on the field as possible,” said Coach Innocent Mayoyo, one of the tournament’s organisers.

Mayoyo emphasised that tournaments like this are not only about competition but also about development, exposure, and opportunity.

“To be eligible, all players must present valid SAFA registration cards along with a school-stamped participation form. These forms will be distributed at the official draw or can be requested in advance,” he explained.

Adding depth to the event, an official draw, launch ceremony, and mini coaching workshop will take place on June 16 at 13:00 at Kwa Thema Primary (Combined) School.

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“All participating coaches are encouraged to attend. The workshop will offer valuable insights into youth coaching, player management, and sports education,” Mayoyo added.

Organisers are also focused on using the tournament to foster unity and promote social upliftment through sport.

“We want this tournament to be more than just a football event. It’s about giving our youth purpose, a sense of belonging, and a pathway,” said Mayoyo.

For affiliation and inquiries, coaches and teams are encouraged to contact Mayoyo on 084 729 1483 or Lucky (Onyango) on 068 953 8033 via call or WhatsApp.