17 Dec 2024

In a vibrant display of community spirit and athleticism, Shy Aqualife, in partnership with Maduo Private Clinic, PE waters, Champ Apparel and Restoration over the weekend hosted its inaugural 5-a-side football tournament, an event designed not only to promote health and fitness.

The tournament, which attracted 16 teams from social clubs, cooperative services and government entities, also aimed to tackle pressing social issues within the community.

In an interview with BOPA, Shy Aqualife managing director and the main sponsor of the event, Oaitse Ramotshabi, indicated that following the promotional event that they hosted on the 16^th of November 2024, they have tested and acknowledged the interest of young people in the games and decided to organize the five aside tournament.

“We aspire to curb social ills by bringing together young people to keep them busy through social interaction, physical fitness and ultimately better mental well-being,” he said on Saturday.

Ramotshabi stressed that they had even invited the sexual reproduction health (SRH) office to sensitize people about reproductive health and distribute free condoms as a way of promoting safe sex.

He added that the event also empowered small businesses, which were allowed to sell food and beverages.

Ramotshabi indicated that, unlike professional football, five-aside football is played by five players for 20 minutes on a small pitch, thus giving different people who cannot play for a full 90 minutes of football an opportunity to socialize and exercise simultaneously.

Four teams, Subi Town, Glamour Boys, Shoprite and Gumare social clubs, advanced to the quarter-finals. 

Subi Town social club thrashed ShopRite social club with 3 goals to nil in the finals, scooping the grand prize of P5000, a trophy, gold medals and a kit, while Shoprite got position two and won P3000 cash price, silver medals. Analgesia came third, winning P2000 and bronze medals. Ends