Berlin rugby tournament to raise awareness

Berlin Schools’ Rugby Revival Programme (BSRRP) is gearing up for it’s first annual rugby 7s tournament set to kick-off at Berlin Sports Fields on December 1.

BSRRP founder Leo Mbini said the tournament, set to host 12 development teams in and around the remote area 47km outside of East London, was long overdue.

Mbini said BSRRP would also partner with the Berlin South African Police Service in a bid to educate the community, especially the youth, about women and child abuse.

This as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign launched on Friday.

Leading up to the tournament Mbini aims to mobilise the community to join hands with him in making the tournament a success.

“We need to rope in our people and push for a free and informed society that knows that abuse is wrong. I could not think of a better way to do that except for having our children play the beautiful game,” said Mbini.

He said the one-day tournament – to be played by 12 teams including Peace Makers of Mdantsane and Kei Road Springboks – would also be used to raise awareness about substance abuse.

“We will also be raising awareness about drug abuse. We have a huge problem of drugs and alcohol abuse in this country.

“So we’ll be speaking to everyone about the dangers of these two substances.

“That was our main objective as the BSRRP when we began operating in June.

“We want to drive our youth from all the ungodly things that are happening,” said Mbini.

We will also be raising awareness about drug abuse. We have a huge problem of drugs and alcohol abuse