The City of Johannesburg’s Sports and Recreation (Region C) successfully hosted the Games 4 Change: Ladies Top 8 Football Spectacular Launch and Draw at Roodepoort Theatre last week.

The Games 4 Change initiative aims to ensure equitable access, development, and excellence, thereby improving social inclusion and the quality of life.

The Games 4 Change: Ladies Top 8 Football Spectacular is the first of its kind in the region and the City. The Ladies Top 8 Football Spectacular intends to develop female football, which is one of the City of Johannesburg’s 12 priority codes and it is a fantastic opportunity for young ladies to showcase their talent as female football players. By implementing such programmes, Sport and Recreation aims to inspire and increase the number of young girls and women interested in female football.

All the participants of the Games 4 Change: Ladies Top 8 Football Spectacular are girls under the age of 17. They all received the life-changing opportunity to stand a chance to be identified by various ladies’ soccer academies and professional bodies. Best performers stand a chance to win miniature trophies.

“Gender does not prevent one from becoming what they want to be. At the end of the day, it all comes down to applying oneself in whatever you are doing,” said Mbali Radebe, one of the local soccer-loving community members.

“The Launch and Draw of the Top 8 Ladies Spectacular was a huge success, and all credit goes to the Region C Sport and Recreation outreach team for delivering the programme in such a professional and well-coordinated manner,” said Joyce Jiyane, Region C’s Sport and Recreation Assistant Director.

“We are thankful to Roodepoort Theatre for its ongoing support,” she said.

The knockout and final of the Games 4 Change will be held on May 14 2022 at the Braamfischer Multipurpose Centre, with wards 48, 100, 71, 114,127, and 128 competing.

Written by Ntombifuthi Junerose Nkosi
21/04/2022​