Mayor hands over rugby equipment to Ndlambe Tigers
Team receives jerseys, bags, balls worth R60k
The Sarah Baartman District Municipality has thrown its weight behind the sport of rugby in the Ndlambe region by handing over rugby jerseys and equipment valued at more than R60,000 to Ndlambe Tigers’ first team.
Present at the handover ceremony at Mamityi Gidana Stadium on Friday October 20 were Sarah Baartman District mayor Deon de Vos, accompanied by Ndlambe Municipality mayor Khululwa Ncamiso, speaker Andile Marasi, Ndlambe Tigers squad members and the club’s president, Chris Gidana.
Ndlambe Tigers compete in the regional league under the Sedru banner.
The equipment included tackle bags, branded jerseys, practice cones and rugby balls.
Kowie United president Denzil Burger and Alexandria ’ s Trying Stars RFC president, Divan Cannon, who with Tigers and Klipfontein United make up the Ndlambe Rugby Federation, were also present to show their support.
De Vos told the audience that though he had served as speaker in the district for 16 years, it was always his ambition to make sport one of his priorities should he become mayor one day.
“With the little bit of resources we have, we should prioritise sport development,” he said. “One thing that will always keep the district of Sarah Baartman relevant, is sport.
“Our local municipalities do not always have money to spend fixing potholes and so on, and unfortunately sport development has to compete with these needs.
“Rugby is a big part of the sporting scene in Sarah Baartman. At the district offices we have limited resources, but we are trying our best.
“The challenge sportsmen and women face in our district is that sporting venues are located very far apart.
“Youngsters have to travel long distances to these venues and many parents don’t have enough money for transport.”
De Vos said his door was always open to discussions around sport initiatives.
“Though I can’t guarantee anything, I am inviting other teams who might be needing equipment to come forward with requests.”
Handing over jerseys to the players, he said: “This morning on TV, the anchors were counting how many Springboks were from the Eastern Cape, and it was a big number.
“One day your story could be told on TV.
“I know you are going to make us proud.”
Gidana addressing the audience on the field, said he was grateful De Vos had allowed him to “ambush” him when he visited Port Alfred a few months ago on another engagement and convinced him that rugby was a huge sport in the Ndlambe region.
“Beggars cannot be choosers. Whatever we get from our authorities we always say ‘thank you very much’.
“We have two U21 Springboks from this area.
“Our mission and our goal is to make sure we produce Springboks here.
“We [administrators] spend time in the game [without reward] because these youngsters need us.”
Turning to the players he said: “These jerseys are not for the wardrobe — wear them with pride.
“Make us proud and make Sarah Baartman proud.
“Make Ndlambe Municipality and the community proud. Ndlambe Tigers is a community team belongs to the community,” Gidana said.