Durban schools made their mark on the national stage, winning three of the five divisions at the Association of Muslim Schools (AMS) National Soccer Tournament in Cape Town.
More than 700 players representing 20 schools from across the country took part in the tournament, with five Durban schools flying the city’s flag high: Al Falaah College, Hartley Road Primary School, Orient Islamic School, Verulam Islamic School and As Salaam Institute.
While the results brought plenty of celebrations, the spirit of unity among the Durban teams was just as impressive.
Despite representing different schools, the young footballers rallied behind each another, cheering from the sidelines and offering support through victories and defeats. Their camaraderie was a heart-warming reminder of how sport can unite young people beyond the boundaries of competition.
The Durban contingent’s strong showing was reflected in the results, with local schools claiming three division titles.
Hartley Road Primary School emerged victorious in the Under-9 division after beating fellow Durban side Al Falaah College in an all-local final.
Al Falaah College bounced back to claim the Under-11 title, while Orient Islamic School secured top honours in the Under-17 division.
The achievements highlighted the talent, determination and hard work of the young players, as well as the commitment of their coaches and supporters.
Al Falaah College Under-11 coach Yusuf said he was proud of the progress his players had made and the determination they showed throughout the competition.
“These boys trained hard and played with real heart. Many of them had never played in a tournament of this size, and to see them reach the final was a proud moment for me. They gave everything, and that is all a coach can ask for,” he said.
The tournament provided a platform for young footballers to test their abilities against teams from across the country while building friendships and gaining valuable experience.
For Durban, however, the success went beyond the three trophies. The support shown between the schools demonstrated that healthy competition and unity can go hand in hand.
The players, coaches and supporters returned home with plenty to celebrate after representing their schools and the city with pride.
