Cape Town – In its ninth year, the Lucky Star CUP, the most prestigious grassroots football festival in South Africa, kicks off tomorrow at Hartleyvale Stadium.
Junior teams from PSL giants Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns were drawn into groups last week with clubs from all over the country - a first for a football tournament for Under-7s to Under-14s in South Africa.
During the draw, former Bafana Bafana and Manchester United star Quinton Fortune and former Proteas ace JP Duminy also sent video messages of support, and both said they would be keeping a keen eye on the tournament.
FC Kapstadt president and Lucky Star CUP tournament director Zaid Omar said for many young footballers, the event would be a dream come true as they play against players from Chiefs, Sundowns, Pirates and the KZN Academy.
“It’s a proud moment for Cape Town football. Never before has Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs or Mamelodi Sundowns participated in a grassroots football tournament right here in the Mother City,” Omar said.
“On behalf of FC Kapstadt, I would like to express our gratitude to Lucky Star SA for placing its full support behind Cape Town’s premier grassroots football festival by agreeing a long-term partnership to benefit players, teams and clubs across South Africa, now making it a truly national tournament.
“Next year, we’re planning to make the Lucky Star CUP an international competition,” Omar added.