With the groups drawn and media launch over, the stage is set for the 2024 Bayhill Premier Cup under-19 football tournament, which is set to take place in the week running up to the Easter weekend.

The suits and ties will have been packed away by now, giving the coaches and captains of the 32 teams from all over the country a chance to get back to preparations for the tournament proper.

Ongoing for 35 years and counting, the Bayhill Premier Cup under-19 football tournament is a platform that has seen more than one million footballers graduating and making a name for themselves on the local and global stage.

Members of parliament, special dignitaries and alumni of the five-day tournament were among those who attended a media launch held at the Civic Centre on Saturday night, March 2.

Western Cape MEC of Community Safety and Police Oversight, Reagan Allen highlighted some of the best memories he had on the football field with his teammates at Mother City FC.

Allen said had a speech impediment growing up and the football field was the only place where he could shout and be heard. He encouraged the young athletes to enjoy the beautiful sport, while also commending the tournament for its role in building a positive society through mass participation, talent identification and social cohesion.

Highlighting the 35 years of opportunities created by the tournament, Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross, encouraged the players to showcase their skills and believe in themselves.

There are eight groups of four teams each in the tournament. The host team, Bayhill United is drawn in group A and the winners of last year’s edition, Grassy Park United, are drawn in group H.

Bayhill United drew Potchefstroom’s Virginia Academy, Young Bafana Soccer Academy and one of the surprising teams at this year's playoffs, Clover FC, from Mandalay.

In Group B, Cape Town City FC will come up against a familiar opponent, Ubuntu Football Academy. Also in group B is the invitational team, SAFA Cape Town Academy, as well as a talented Westridge FC side.

The groups do not get any easier. Chippa United make a return to the tournament in group C, alongside Hanover Park United FC, Rondebosch’s Rygersdal FC and FC Porto from Philippi.

One of the teams that did extremely well at last year’s tournament, Amalawu FC, from Northern Cape, are drawn in group D, with Stellenbosch FC, Khayelitsha’s Rebels FC and winners of the 2019 edition, Highlands Park.

President of Safa Cape Town and vice-president of Safa national, Bennet Bailey, was present to witness the intensity as each group unfolded. Dressed in the national football team's green and gold tracksuit, his speech encouraged the players to aspire to someday represent South Africa on the global stage.

Group E will see the University of Pretoria hosting Elsies River United, Athlone’s SSS Academy and a well-oiled green machine, Junction Rovers FC.

Group F is made up of Cape Town Spurs FC, Nyanga’s Everton FC, Shayamoya Academy and Velocity Football Academy.

In Group G, the champs of Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns FC, will look to reclaim the cup they won in 2009. But first, they have to get past Hungry Lions, FC Real SA and Celtic United Football Academy.

Grassy Park United will look to lift the cup for the second time in a row when they host Namibia’s Windhoek Gymnasium, Leeds United AFC and FN Rangers St Agnes FC, in group H.

Tournament director, Rayaan Alie, alongside Bailey, presented the Director’s Award 2024 to long-time serving members of the Bayhill Premier Cup. Former tournament director PJ Williams, Bayhill United FC chairman John Rangoli, and previous deputy tournament director Patrick Connolly were awarded.

For more than two decades of unwavering commitment and service to the tournament, Alie and Bailey also presented the prestigious award to Michael Bruyns, Linda Bruyns and Patrick Stephens.

“It is important that we honour our people while they are alive and can witness it, and not only when they have passed on,” said Alie.

The evening was captivated by various performers and guest artists with proceedings led by the master of ceremonies, Lesley “Mkaya” de Vos.

The Bayhill Premier Cup is scheduled to take place from Wednesday March 27 until Sunday March 31, at the Erica Park Stadium in Belhar. The finals will be held at Athlone Stadium on Monday April 1.

The Bayhill Premier Cup under-19 football tournament media launch was held at the Civic Centre on Saturday March 2. Picture: Supplied

From left, long time serving members of the Bayhill Premier Cup, Patrick Stephens, next to Safa Cape Town president Bennett Bailey, previous tournament director PJ Williams, previous tournament deputy director Patrick Connolly, tournament director Rayaan Alie, Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross, Director’s Award 2024 recipients Linda Bruyns, Michael Bruyns and Bayhill United FC chairman, John Rangoli, at the media launch. Picture supplied.

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All systems go for Bayhill Premier Cup