Doctor Khumalo aims to produce future PSL stars through his tournament

Khumalo aspires to cultivate future players for the Premier Soccer League clubs and the national teams.  

The highly awaited tournament, in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture, is set to take place in Dube.

Dubbed the Doctor Khumalo Ultimate Champs tournament, it will be hosted at Matador Ground on March 17.

Teams from the Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 soccer categories, along with the Netball champions of 2023, will compete against the Gauteng Select Players team.

Khumalo disclosed to SABC Sport that the winners will claim the undisclosed prize money on the day.

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“This initiative may bear my name, but its true ownership lies with the people of Dube. Last year, we embarked on something truly beautiful, and our fervent hope is to see it perpetuated indefinitely. Here’s how it operates: last year’s champions will face off against a handpicked selection by the coaches. Let’s maintain integrity; I’m aware of how township coaches’ function – we need at least one or two players from each team,” Khumalo revealed during an interview with the national broadcaster.

“While the victors claim the prize, the funds will be directly disbursed to both the players and the coach. We’ll ensure verification through parental confirmation of the players receiving their rewards. The soccer and netball coaches will be appointed by a collective of coaches to oversee the teams on the day,” Khumalo further commented.

Khumalo emphasized that while the primary tournament remains scheduled for August as tradition dictates, the current aim is to inject a sense of joy into the community.

Primarily, Khumalo’s focus is on fostering community enrichment and showcasing the budding champions of tomorrow.

Additionally, Khumalo will host a coaching workshop aimed at nurturing young coaches within the township.

“We intend to introduce this tournament as a source of entertainment for our community. With August still on the horizon, we seek to alleviate boredom by offering our people a form of amusement. Come August, we anticipate a grander tournament with increased participation from teams and players,” added Khumalo.