Engen, in partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA), on Thursday officially launched the 2023 edition of South Africa’s leading youth football tournaments, the Engen Knockout Challenge and Engen Champ of Champs.
The Engen Knockout Challenge serves as a qualifier for the Engen Champ of Champs, which will be staged after the completion of the Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban regional events.
Engen will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that the 21st edition of the tournament continues to provide a platform for the next generation of footballers to showcase their talent to a broad range of scouts and talent spotters.
Over the years, Engen’s holistic approach to football development has seen the Engen Knockout Challenge evolve into an eco-system that also benefits female footballers, coaches, referees, administrators, and entrepreneurs.
This year, Engen will focus strongly on further amplifying the women’s tournament, which was successfully introduced in 2021.
To mark its 21st anniversary, Engen will also celebrate the success of Engen Knockout Challenge alumni who used the tournament as a springboard into professional football.
Speaking ahead of the Engen Knockout Challenge, Engen Chief Marketing Officer, Godfrey Vilakazi said: “For more than two decades, the Engen Knockout Challenge has played a part in helping develop South Africa’s budding football talent, while also providing a platform for community development through its holistic approach to the event,” commented Vilakazi.
“The introduction of a women’s tournament gives young girls an opportunity to display their talent, while coaches, referees and administrators continue to hone their skills at our tournament.
“Outside of the field of play, the tournament also provides economic opportunities to community-based businesses and entrepreneurs, something that Engen prides itself in as a good and responsible corporate citizen.”
Adding further to its innovative approach to community development, Engen extended its reach to the fashion industry this year to help budding designers enhance their portfolios.
Ziyaad Samsodien, a Cape Town-based fashion designer will be the tournament’s apparel designer – a first for any football tournament in South Africa.
Added Vilakazi: “The unique partnership will see select teams, referees, officials and staff being kitted out in uniquely designed apparel that will have a blended style of sport and fashion.”