Local grassroots sports on top

Nelson Mandela once said “sport has the power to inspire”. It would not be far off to suggest the global icon’s famous quote refers to both grassroots and international sports.

Talking of grassroots, let’s not forget Saturday’s Pineapple Run and Sunday’s G2C mountain bike sporting events in our region.

Mandela would have likely agreed participation is key to staying “inspired ”–

and not just as a spectator.

The Pineapple and G2C, with participation across various age groups, are testimony to that notion.

“Bok fever” is running at an all-time high with the Springbok rugby team progressing to the World Cup quarterfinals in France.

Their next opponents in the knockout phase are the host nation’s “Les Blues ”–

and that match-up is sure to be a humdinger in Paris come Sunday night October 15.

The Proteas cricket team are currently on World Cup duty in India where “cricket is a religion ”– to quote the words of India’s opening batsman, Rohit Sharma.

Despite the obvious challenge of playing on any Indian ground, few sportsmen and women would need a more inspiring assignment than to do exactly that. And, what a perfect start it was for the Proteas who outmuscled Sri Lanka in their opening match last Saturday to emerge victorious by 102 runs.

With that emphatic victory uppermost in the mind, long-suffering Proteas fans would hope the cricket team can finally go on to win the Cricket World Cup – for the first time in their history.

Imagine SA winning both the rugby and cricket World Cups – some reckon that would merit a week’s public holiday perhaps?

Rugby and cricket have a huge following – and history – in the Ndlambe-Makhanda region, with players and fans wearing their club colours with pride when supporting local teams.

The institution called Pineapple Cricket, which celebrates 120 years next year, has become an established tournament that has embedded itself into the hearts and minds of local communities and beyond.

However, we know for many, sport is not only about winning but also about competing. And nowhere was this more clearly demonstrated than at this past weekend’s Pineapple Run and G2CMTB event.

Hats off to all who braved the early morning start in rain and wind in Makhanda on Saturday to take on the Pineapple run over various distances. That the race had completed its 45th edition is testimony to how sports at grassroots level can be a vehicle that continues to inspire and encourage hope.

Elite runner Terri-Lynn Penney, for example, finished her 25th Pineapple race – an illustrious achievement that deserves praise and honour.

Penney, 46, proved her pedigree by coming in first in the women’s vets category and placing third overall. To further prove that sport has the ability to “inspire” is that the oldest competitor in the race was a 70-year-old male.

A huge doffing of the cap to administrators, events management teams, ground keepers and staff, supporters and the all-important sponsors, for bringing these elements together to help sport do its share for the good of the Ndlambe region.

Of course it’s not just running, cycling, rugby and cricket that dominate in the Ndlambe region, but also surfing, soccer, hockey, bowls, rowing, netball – and croquet. It all begins at grassroots level – and Ndlambe’s sporting fraternity is on the right track.