BLOEMFONTEIN – The Navalsig High School boys team in Bloemfontein has won the biggest prize of R3 million, being among the four Free State schools that finished on the podium at this year’s national final of the Kay Motsepe Schools Football Championship. The school received its share of a whopping R4,2 million combined in prize money on offer in two football categories.

The victorious schools finished on the podium for the first time ever at the finals of the competition staged from 25 to 30 September in Soshanguve, outside Pretoria. Adding to the historic chapter, it was the first time two teams from the Free State met in the final to decide the championship, with the girls’ team also winning.

New champions Navalsig beat Urban Academy 2–0 in the final to claim the R3 million prize and a gold medal, while the latter settled for the runner-up prize of R700 000 and a silver medal. The Navalsig team celebrated the achievement of Katleho Makhabasela being named Player of the Tournament for U-19 and their coach, Mzwakhe James, being awarded Coach of the Tournament after leading his team to national glory.

The other winners include Ntsu Secondary School, from Bethlehem, and the St Anne’s primary.

The St Anne School added another piece in the historic chapter becoming the first to scoop a double success: in the boys’ U13 and U19 categories. The school’s U-13 girls took the third prize of R300 000 and a bronze medal. Ntsu walked away with the fourth prize of R500 000 for their effort in this premier schools competition. Former school of Bafana Bafana star Teboho Mokoena lost 3-0 to Gauteng’s Clapham High School, who secured third place, bronze medals, and a R600,000.

The national finals bring together 36 school teams and more than 576 players across the U13 girls’, U13 boys’ and U19 boys’ divisions. Schools compete for prize funding to improve their educational and sporting facilities.

“Celebrating 22 years of doing this shows that we put our money where our mouth is. Crucially, expanding into the U-13 Girls division speaks directly to equal access and equity—ensuring we nurture the girl child with the same dedication and belief as the boy child,” said Peter Ledwaba, head of Sports at the Motsepe Foundation.

Free State MEC for Education Dr Julia Maboya has applauded the schools that represented the province nationally. She further praised those that won prize money and additional funding for infrastructure, sport development and sustainability, to ensure active participation in sporting activities. “This is a historic day for Free State education,” said Maboya.
She added: “Navalsig has made us proud as national champions.”

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