WELKOM – A splendid display of sporting talent and team spirit will be unleashed on Saturday 29 November when netball and football teams from 16 Welkom schools compete in the Free State leg of the Diski99 Cup. They will showcase their talent at the Zuka Baloyi Stadium in Thabong.
The schools progressed to this stage of the competition based on merit throughout the preliminary stages. They will be directing their efforts towards claiming the ultimate prizes on offer, which include the trophy.
The Diski99 Cup features primary and secondary schools, thereby ensuring mass participation. Secondary schools will compete in the football category, while primary schools will face off against each other in netball. The participating secondary schools are: Teto, Thotagauta, Lebogang, Welkom High, Leseding, Letsete, Nanabolela and Lephola. Primary schools to compete are: Majaho, Aurora, Thabong, Naudeville, Tswelopele, Seabo, Mantshebo and Hlolohelo.
PHOTO: Supplied
The objective of the tournament is two-fold: to continue positioning sport as a major vehicle in schools for the promotion of health; and the identification of exceptionally talented athletes to enable them to pursue a professional career.
The Diski99 Cup is the result of a public-private partnership involving the Free State Department of Education and Net Nine Nine, a telecommunications and network service provider. A substantial amount of money has been invested in this sporting programme, meant to advance school sport – which has significantly declined in township schools. Through the annual tournament, the parties envisage rekindling interest in sport in all schools in the province.
The rules of the tournament are clear: goals, goals and goals,
and this is what we can do. – Coach Ntsike Mosoeu
Itumeleng Itumeleng, a Mathematics teacher of Welkom High, has expressed confidence and a desire to lift the trophy.
The school’s target is to atone for failed attempts to win this year’s edition of the Magnificent Wednesday, where they were knocked out in the preliminary stage. The Welkom High players are determined to claim the prestigious Diski99 Cup football title.
“We have a credible squad ready to win any trophy on any day,” said Itumeleng.
“Now that everyone has been recalled from their holiday, we are willing to go the whole stretch and show them flames.”
However, he was sceptical about their opponents on Saturday, which is Lebogang under the tutelage of coach Ntsike Mosoeu.
“Lebogang has a good team, but we too are strong. We plan on producing the best. In fact, the players are already thinking beyond the tournament and planning on what they will do with the prize money.
“We take Diski99 very seriously. This is an opportunity for many of these players to wear the honours blazer at the school, an extremely honourable thing offered by the principal.”
And indeed, Mosoeu threatened to beat Welkom High: “We have been monitoring them, and we’re not worried about them. The rules of the tournament are clear: goals, goals and goals, and this is what we can do.”
Lebogang went as far as the first and second circuit in the two tournaments.
At Mantshebo Primary School, just opposite the hosting stadium, it is all systems go. Enthusiastic teachers Caroline Selebalo, foundation phase teacher, and Thamsanqa Baleka said winning the Diski99 would be the proudest way for the school to end the year.
All the matches are scheduled to start at 09:00.
Football fixtures:
- Teto High v Thotagauta Secondary
- Lebogang Secondary v Welkom High School
- Leseding Secondary v Letsete High School
- Nanabolela High School v Lephola High School
Netball fixtures:
- Majaho Primary School v Aurora Primary School
- Thabong Primary School v Naudeville Primary School
- Tswelopele Primary School v Seabo Primary School
- Mantshebo Primary School v Hlolohelo Primary School.
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