Goodwill Games Preparations are Underway

Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Goodwill Games 2018 is currently in preparation stage. These games in Phelindaba are being hosted by two organisations, those are, LMMGG and LMYD.

LMMGG is focused on seniors. Last year they hosted the Under 19 and open age. The trend continues this year. Their focus is mainly on open age. This is where they attract teams from all over the City, better yet, some from parts of the province. Last year their target was 32 teams. Surely they will be hoping to exceed that target thus year. They need to beat the recently mushroomed competitors in other parts of the province, like in Tembisa or Soweto.

A whooping R100K as a price money is always attractive to those their are trying to lure. What an amount in what a season!

On the other hand, there is a lesser ambitious leg of the competition, focusing on junior football mainly. This is the part that is run by LMYD. The divisions are Under 11, Under 13, Under 15, and Under 17.

LMYD is more inward looking. It hopes to attract as many teams from within Phelindaba as possible, preferably the very teams that are affiliated on the local leagues.

Ironically, LMMGG and LMYD do not really operate together. They are as silo as they can get. Last year they used separate fields, almost trying to compete against each other for the same audience and support of the association. In fact, it got that bad that even members of the committee within the PLFA nearly raptured due to which organisation each member supported.

When there are always lessons to be learnt, LMMGG, LMYD and PLFA need to do more to apply those lessons for the benefit of the communities. PLFA must lead the way.

Whilst all that jazz is playing, whether you are a community member, player, coach, referee, prepare yourself to be captured by the goodwill Games of 2018. Support any way you can. Contribute. Have fun.

Have a great footballing festive season.

Sizwe Nkosi