SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan has praised the SAFA Under 17 National Championships sponsors, Burger King and Grand Parade Investment saying such tournaments give hope to the youth.

SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan has praised the SAFA Under 17 National Championships sponsors, Burger King and Grand Parade Investment saying such tournaments give hope to the youth.

Speaking at the final day of the championships on Sunday, 6 April 2014 at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto, Dr Jordaan said GPI’s venture should open avenues for other corporate to do likewise.

“This is a new beginning for South African football, thanks to GPI through their subsidiary company Burger King. I would also like to thank Supersport for the live broadcast of the final between Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits,” said Dr Jordaan.

The SAFA President said the week-long tournament had been wonderful for the players and talent scouts, and also provides a sound foundation for future Bafana Bafana squads.

“Our junior teams have not performed to our liking but through such tournaments, everything should now start to fall into place. There is massive talent throughout the country and such tournaments give coaches a platform to identify our future stars,” he said.

The SAFA president said the fact that Chiefs and Bidvest Wits had reached the finals of the U17 Championships should give provincial coaches a wake-up call to up their game.

GPI Executive Director, Alex Abercrombie said his company believes in the future hence they decided to get associated with the youth of this country.

“We want to make this relationship with SAFA a long term association as we believe that if you invest into the future, you are building a great nation. This, to us, is a long-term investment.

“If we have an organised youth football structures, we can be guaranteed of a great Bafana Bafana squad. I would like to take this opportunity to call upon other corporate to look into investing in our youth activities as this is part of building a good tomorrow,” said Abercrombie.

SAFA’s chair of Competition Committee, Nomsa Mahlangu said such tournaments were critical because they prepare for strong national teams.

“We as SAFA want to provide the Technical team with the best possible assistance and there is no better support than providing them with an opportunity to identify talent through such tournaments,” said Mahlangu.