The Cell C sponsored Easter soccer tournaments featured over 400 teams in 20 events, across seven provinces. To this end, this year’s events were held in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape. The coastal province of Eastern Cape was hosting its inaugural tournaments, with events held in Queenstown, Mthatha and Idutywa.

"We are delighted with the support we received from communities around the country, and in particular, the support we got from Randfondtein was amazing," said Cell C sponsorship executive Richard Naledi.

Although some of the finals in parts of Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Free State were postponed due to inclement weather, 17 tournament hampions were crowned. Three tournaments will be completed next weekend.

"The tournament was unbelievably successful. Putting together a project of this magnitude was not easy. It was tough to organise the tournament in seven provinces, but we pulled through", said Grant Nicholls, CEO of tournament organisers Papadi Integrated Marketing.

The Cell C Easter Community Soccer Tournament successfully fuses soccer development with community development. Each tournament is organised by a committee comprising members of the community, who receive training from Papadi on how to organise such tournaments. The events are also a platform for small businesses and hawkers to sell their products to fans and teams.

Maphelo Beja, organising committee member for Queenstown says the region has always had challenges securing sponsors, "because we are based in remote areas and travelling to the playing grounds is difficult as Chris Hani District is scattered. But for the first time, Cell C managed to gather 16 open men division and four open ladies division teams from 17 towns in the District, in a single area to play football."

"On behalf of the Eastern Cape, we are grateful to Cell C. This type of sponsorship will assist in our development, which will help our teams to qualify to play in the Premier Soccer League", added Beja.