Times of Eswatini

Resurfaced courts impress OlympAfric­a

- BY NIMROD HLOPHE

LOBAMBA – OlympAfric­a Foundation has given EOCGA a thumbs-up for the refurbishe­d Multi-Purpose Courts within their premises at the OlympAfric­a Centre.

EOCGA is an acronym for Eswatini Olympic and Commonweal­th Games Associatio­n. OlympAfric­a has shared these sentiments through their Programmes Manager, Ndiate Sall, who arrived in the country on Tuesday.

Sall was here to facilitate a two-day training course for EOCGA staff and volunteers as well as for the inspection of the courts they helped to get facelift.

“The job was well done because I’ve been here in 2021 and so, from what I saw back then and now there has been a great improvemen­t. There’s a big difference as they are going into a higher level and I thank them for that since the facility now looks proper to

SOME OF THE CHILDREN’S VIEWS:

BONGEKILE KUNENE: “I’m very excited about the games. I’ve not played for quite some time now but today (yesterday) I got a chance to play together with my friends. What I like is that I played new sports; volleyball and tennis yet at school I play ladies soccer.”

JENNIFER LITCHFIELD: “I was happy about the games because we were so many and there were several sporting codes to choose from. We need these games to refresh because all along the week we’ve been at school and it’s nice stage sport games,” Sall said.

Before assessing these courts, the Senegalese equipped EOCGA staff and volunteers on several topics such as organising activities in the Olympic Centre and grabbing some opportunit­ies availed at the OlympAfric­a Foundation.

“I’m very satisfied from what I saw during the practical sessions. What is important is that they have good approach in handling the children and also understand the technicali­ties involved. This is key because in events similar to the one they have staged today (yesterday), they are expected to be leaders and coaches of the children,” Sall explained.

EOCGA staged a Sports Day, which attracted about 400 children who experience­d the resurfaced courts playing various games. The courts cater for tennis, volleyball, netball and teqball. when you play with friends.”

MAYENZEKE LANGWENYA: “I tried to play some new sports today (yesterday) which was teqball and found it most interestin­g because its basics are almost similar to soccer. I appreciate these games as they help us keep fit and learn new sports.”

ZIZWE NKAMBULE: “The games were exciting as I played soccer, teqball and gumboot dance. The day was real fun because we’re also playing with our friends from the community and meet some new friends to.”

CHILDREN

 ?? (Courtesy pic) ?? OlympAfric­a Foundation Programme Manager Ndiate Sall (L) with EOCGA Chief Executive Officer Maxwell Jele at the new EOCGA offices at Lobamba after one of the training sessions.
(Courtesy pic) OlympAfric­a Foundation Programme Manager Ndiate Sall (L) with EOCGA Chief Executive Officer Maxwell Jele at the new EOCGA offices at Lobamba after one of the training sessions.
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