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MBABANE – “It is wrong that the big teams in the country are not represented in the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) executive.

This statement was made by Mbabane Swallows General Manager (GM) Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane in yesterday’s Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS 1) Sports Show, when reacting to the issue which was raised by the show’s Presenter, Siphesihle ‘Sihlabani’ Nxumalo to PLE Football Manager Pat Vilakati on the issue of those in the executive leading the organisation.

Nxumalo was speaking on behalf of local supporters, asking for the reason why most of those in the executive were from teams playing in the MTN National First Division (NFD) and none were from the MTN Premier League.

MElected

Vilakati highlighted that those who were in the executive were elected by the 28 teams that make up both leagues through a constitution. Zwane, on the other hand, praised Nxumalo for raising the issue, as he said Eswatini football would not grow as long as they had not gone to elections to elect deserving people to run football.

The current Premier League of Eswatini executive comprises of Chairman Mark Carmichael (Denver Sundowns), Rudolph Matsenjwa (Tambuti) Polycarp Dlamini (Ezulwini United) , Victor Rodrigues (Malanti Chiefs), Charles Matsebula ( Black Swallows) , Juluka Gamedze ( Madlenya) and Sibusiso ‘Scorpion

BABANE – Athletes better start training now, because there is a lot at stake in the second edition of the TZD Lubombo Marathon.

This follows news which was delivered by the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, yesterday during the official launch of the annual marathon at Sigwaca House. “Allow me to begin my remarks by appreciating TZD for bringing back our beloved Marathon, which was cancelled last minute in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depth

Bringing back this event is a very brave and notable move; one that shows the depth of TZD’s passion and commitment to the development of the sport in the country and for that they deserve a round of applause,” said Bulunga.

The minister said that athletics was not just a sport, but it was also a form of unwinding, and releasing all the stress and tension caused by several factors affecting day-to-day lives. ‘Nxumalo (Rangers).

“We must not look to names, but to a person who is capable of running football for it to develop.

“It is wrong that the big teams are not represented in the executive,” the former national team Sihlangu manager explained.

He highlighted that they were involved in the selecting of the individuals, but the teams should make sure to select people, who were capable of taking local football in the same direction, as it was going the wrong

“Road running plays a huge role in fostering a healthy lifestyle and events such as the Lubombo Marathon have the ability to draw mass participation, giving people the chance to socialise in the process. The Lubombo Marathon also aligns with our drive, as His Majesty’s government, to have an Eswatini that is both physically and mentally fit,” said the minister.

He also highlighted that the socio-economic way. “If you fail to maintain your club, how can you then be able to run a big organisation such as the PLE. If you’re failing to maintain a team from being relegated to first division it means that you are not capable of running a big organisation,” he clarified

Thanked

benefits that can be derived from such an event were vast, and these included promoting tourism in the Lubombo Region, as this event was taking place outside of the usual Mbabane-Manzini corridor. “This, therefore, has the potential to uplift the people of the Lubombo Region.

“At this point, I would like to express our gratitude to our friends, the Republic of China, Taiwan, for availing attempts. Meanwhile, Umkhonto KaShaka Chairman of Supporters Elvis Khanyile thanked the team’s supporters for behaving well during the game. an opportunity to take one liSwati to the Palau International Marathon, scheduled for June 4, 2023,” said the minister. He said this was an opportunity of a lifetime, as local athletes would get to mingle with some of the world’s greatest, while testing their tenacity against them.

“Indeed, Taiwan has proven, over and over again, to be Eswatini’s greatest friend and it is true what they say, that #TaiwanCanHelp,” he said.

PHe then invited the Lubombo populace and the entire Eswatini nation to come and partake in the Lubombo Marathon on April 1.

“Come and enjoy the Siteki Top experience and the cooling Lubombo plateau breeze,” he said.

Meanwhile, Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC) CEO Darius Dlomo also disclosed that they would be sponsoring one more athlete to the Taiwan marathon.

“We will make it two; we’ll sponsor one more athlete to the Taiwan Marathon,” he said.

Revealed

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Athletes Eswatini(AE) Thoba Mazibuko revealed that for athletes to qualify for the international marathon, they had to beat certain times.

He said women in the 42km will have to clock 2:55 hours or better. Men, on the other hand, will have to finish the race in 2:20 hours.

In the half marathon, athletes have to at least finish the race before 1:30 hours and 1:05 hours in the ladies and men category, respectively.