Press release -
UPDATE: The 18th Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge: Closed door event
Key announcements:
- The 18th edition of the Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge will take place from
- 8-29 December 2021.
- Only vaccinated players, coaches, support staff and media will be permitted.
- No spectators allowed.
This year’s Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge will go ahead as planned, with only one change: No spectators will be allowed inside the host venue Nike Shapa Soweto.
Open to local U17’s as well as Senior Men and Women’s teams, the tournament kicks off on Wednesday 8 December 2021 and with strict Covid-19 protocols in place.
“We’re pleased to confirm that the tournament will go ahead, despite it being behind closed doors. Protection of our people will always be our number one priority. Our teams have worked tirelessly in order to ensure that all goes ahead as planned,” says Head of Vitality Wellness at Discovery Vitality, Dr Mosima Mabunda. “This tournament is the very essence of Discovery’s purpose of being a force for social good and so whilst we are cognisant, cautious and respectful of the infection increase, we are also aware of the impact that a tournament such as this one has on the lives of so many.”
Phil Mogodi, president of SAFA Johannesburg (Soweto Local Football Association), says he is thankful that the tournament will proceed;
“We look forward to 21 days of footballing flair and on behalf of the players, we thank all parties for the opportunity. Registration closes on Sunday, with all teams being fully vaccinated and security will be extremely tight come game day: Absolutely no spectators will be allowed inside. Whilst we are disappointed that our doors are not open to our fans, we remain grateful that we are to play the game we love.”
All participating members are required to be vaccinated and as such, a mobile, fully compliant vaccination bus will be on site on both Saturday 4 December (08h00 – 16h00) and Sunday 5 December (10h00 – 13h00) at Klipspruit Sports Centre which is opposite Nike Sharpa Soweto.
/ ENDS /
Written for and on behalf of Discovery by Caroline Malan – The PR Machine – caroline@theprmachine.co.za.
Event details:
Name: Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge
Dates: 8 – 29 December 2021
Venue: Nike Shapa Soweto, formerly known as The Nike Football Centre in Klipspruit, Soweto
Format: Round robin, knock out stages from quarter finals
Teams: Open Men Category: 34 teams | Women Category: 12 teams | u17’s Category: 24 teams
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About Discovery:
Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organisation that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, savings and investment and wellness markets. Since inception in 1992, Discovery has been guided by a clear core purpose – to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. This has manifested in its globally recognised Vitality Shared-Value insurance model, active in 31 markets with over 20 million members. The model is exported and scaled through the Global Vitality Network, an alliance of some of the largest insurers across key markets including AIA (Asia), Ping An (China), Generali (Europe), Sumitomo (Japan), John Hancock (US), Manulife (Canada), among others. Discovery trades on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange as DSY.
Follow us on Twitter @Discovery_SA
About the Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge:
The Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge plays an important role in developing and growing soccer players within the Soweto community. The tournament encourages members of the community to lead healthier, more active lives. The tournament started in 2002 and has been able to grow year on year, in exposure and player participation. The tournament was put on hold in 2019 and 2020 due to strict COVID-19 restrictions: Discovery and SAFA agreed that the health and safety of players, the community, the fans and organizers is always of the upmost importance.
