Together as one with partners

SUNDAY greetings! At the time of going to press yesterday one of our partners, Diabetes Eswatini, was commemorating World Diabetes Day at Buka in Ezulwini. Many know by now that as an organisation we have a number of partners. We obviously have a lot in common with our partners such as Diabetes Eswatini. They always attend sports-related functions including our mass participation flagship programme, Shukuma Eswatini. Now, diabetes, dubbed the silent killer has wreaked havoc not just here in the country, but all over the world. It’s been proven that living a healthy lifestyle, which includes having a regular balanced diet and regular exercise goes a very long way in countering the devastating effects of the scourge.

One Dumsile Mavuso has been in the forefront of the fight and awareness campaigns against the silent killer. Her efforts will surely not be in vain. We partner with such organisations because we are spreading more or less the same message, which is that of healthy living. Such organisations include the likes of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Network. Indeed, we are fresh from commemorating the cancer month, which is October with the whole world. We are open to more of such partnership and as we have always said; our doors are open to companies both from the private and public sectors to actually partner with us. We seek to develop our nation together.

The Eswatini Cricket Association is an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council and will therefore, take part in a number of international events. The immediate one however, is the Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifiers. These are scheduled for Kigali, in Rwanda. We are aware that the sport of cricket is still developing in the country. They will be going to Rwanda to learn, as they will be up against some of the well developed countries in the sport. Cricket is a relatively new sport in the land. In all honesty, we cannot expect miracles from our team even though in sport, anything is possible. We wish the 16-member team all the best, as they travel to Rwanda for the qualifiers. As the country’s ambassadors, we are rallying behind them to hoist our flag.

Last week, we congratulated the country’s top female high jumper Ericka Seyema for pulling at all stops to get her coaching certificate. Qualified coach, sounds like sweet melody. Her generation should be inspired. She is still an active athlete, which shows that with the right mentality and attitude one can go far in sports. We also highlighted the fact that sports do offer glorious career opportunities. Today, we would also like to encourage all other athletes, in particular those in individual sports like golf, tennis, boxing and others to keep pushing on. One of our shining stars, hoisting the country’s flag in the neighbouring South Africa, lady golfer, Nobuhle Dlamini deserves special mention as well for her exploits in that country and beyond. The sporting fraternity takes a bow for Dlamini. She has been consistent and incredibly sensational.

It’s what we love to see our athletes do. They give all of us hope, hope for a better tomorrow. On a similar note, we are proud of the country’s CAF Champions League envoys in the continental competition, Royal Leopard’s showing despite their failure to advance to the Group Stages of the tournament and also did not make the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. They did well to reach the stage and we have no doubt that the experience will come in handy, as they venture to Africa in the future. A podium finish may have eluded them but that does not mean they should throw in the towel.

Until next week, sport for all; sports for life!

OUR CONTACTS;

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) dlomo@sportscouncil. org.sz - 24041590

Senior Marketing Officer – Dumisani Ntiwane ntiwane@ sportscouncil.org.sz - 7669 1992/7969 1992

Marketing Officer – Siphesihle Dacunha siphesihle@ sportscouncil.org.sz - 7644 8422/7936 3545

Marketing Officer – Philisiwe Mhlanga phili@sportscouncil.org.sz 7696 6779/7964 8650