THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality recently handed over sports equipment to several sporting organisations across the metro.
Although local clubs have not been able to take part in sporting activities under the current COVID-19 regulations, the NMBM’s Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture head, Lehlohonolo Mfana, said that the handover was crucial to prepare the clubs and support them in their good work to develop future sports stars.
Addressing the club representatives at Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton, Mfana said that the handover was in response to the applications that were made by different sporting codes last year after they were encouraged to apply.
“We want to support sports development and are thankful that you responded. We hope that more clubs will apply next year and also benefit from this initiative,” Mfana said.
The equipment handed over included balls for various sports, bibs and sports cones, among others. The handover covered a total of 16 clubs, including one rugby, one basketball, two netball and a number of soccer clubs, in Motherwell, Uitenhage and New Brighton, before moving on to the metro’s northern and western areas.
Mfana added that the equipment serves as a much-needed boost for the development of sport in the Bay, as the sports sector was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, the metro called on sports organisations to apply for equipment and assistance under the 2019-2020 financial year; however, due to the COVID-19 regulations, the NMBM was unable to hand over the equipment earlier this year.
A representative from Motherwell’s Young Romans Football Club, Thobela Dekeda, said that the equipment would really help them, in terms of the development of sport. “When you train children, you need such equipment.
“Although we are still short of some equipment, this will add to what we have. We want them to use the soccer balls to develop their skills in the sport they want to become professionals in. These cones will help us, as some of the fields we use do not have markers.”
Zwide United Rugby Club’s Boyce Dike, added that they were grateful for their share. “We have received water bottles, cones and rugby balls from the municipality. These will help our players during matches and training sessions.”
Nelson Mandela Bay Sports Federation chairperson, Freddie Makoki, urged club members to not train children just yet, as the lockdown alert level two did not allow for such activities.
“Keep this equipment for now. The time for that has not come, it is only professionals who have been allowed to train for now and even they do not have spectators during matches.
“The local clubs do not (all) have proper equipment to sanitise the players, check their temperatures and other safety measures. We don’t want the spread of COVID-19,” Makoki added.
