Steve Vukile Tshwete Games
OR Tambo relishing experience at high level tourney
TEAMS have been giving each other a run for their money in the Steve Vukile Tshwete Games volleyball tournament held at the Gompo Hall in East London.
O R Tambo manager, Sibusiso Gobile, who played in the group stages against Nelson Mandela Bay, Amathole and Buffalo City Metro, said they had a tough time trying to reach the semifinals but he was confident to get into the final.
“The two games we played before, we didn’t get any pressure because they didn’t give us much hassles, but the most challenging game we played was against Nelson Mandela Bay because we won 2-1.
“Their players were of a higher standard and both teams’ players have more or less the same experiences because they are playing for the provincial team, so they have proper training.”
He said having the Steve Vukile Tshwete Games was a good gesture by government entities as it spoke to development of less popular sporting codes which are desperate for development.
“When these 19-year-olds leave here they can in the coming years go U23 and they’ll also be in a position to develop their own clubs.
“Keeping kids playing sports is always a good thing because it keeps them occupied, meaning they won’t have time to go around doing wrong things, and their minds are kept fresh and healthy.”
OR Tambo captain, Sinethemba Nomandela, 17, said getting an opportunity to lead his team in the game was an experience of lifetime, and he aspires to become a world recognised athlete.
“Leading the team here away from home is very special to me. I’m a setter, so the team follows what I’m doing in the court. I feel happy to have come here to play against the toughest teams in the province and I feel we didn’t waste our time,” he said.
“Now we will be able to see where we are in terms of the fitness and strategy so that when we travel to other tournaments we know where we should fix the team.”
Nomandela said as his youth counterparts were dealing with many social ills in their communities such events encouraged them to not stop chasing their dreams of becoming world renowned sport athletes.
Nelson Mandela Metro’s Tracy Ann said all the teams that were playing the semi finals played a “high level of volleyball”, because they thought it was going to be a walk in the park but, unfortunately for them, it wasn’t meant to be.
“We are kind of playing our teammates because most teams have players that we play with in the provincial team. But we want to win this even though it has not been easy. All the games we played were nothing like what we expected, but the second game we played yesterday because we had to fight for points unlike the first one we played.”