Local learners off to compete in Spain
YOUNGSTERS from Nyanga will compete at the world’s largest international soccer tournament in Barcelona, Spain, after they became the first Western Cape team to win the national Danone Nations Cup.
Jubilant pupils, parents and teachers welcomed the under-12 champions back home with posters and songs at Nomlinganiselo Primary School in New Crossroads yesterday.
School principal Bhejile Mzinda said that as a parent he was proud and never thought this would be achieved during his time.
“I am happy that as a school we will be written into history. This will also challenge and inspire other pupils to be like them, and we will try to do more.
“This will have a positive drive in our school and community.”
Mazwi Ntokoza, the team’s young coach, said: “I am proud of my boys and I have never seen them this happy.
“I think it’s because some of them were stepping out of the province for the first time and they can’t wait to go abroad for the first time – this includes me. I used to go to the tournament as a player and now I went as their coach.”
Since 2000 Danone has been the proud organiser of the Danone Nations Cup, the world’s largest international soccer tournament for 10- to 12-yearolds.
More than 2.5 million children from over 34 000 schools and 11 000 clubs from around the globe take part.