Congratulations AE
SUNDAY greetings. One of our National Sports Associations, Athletics Eswatini (AE), hosted their national championships at the Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday. Despite the somewhat chilly weather condition, the action on the track was red hot. The country’s finest athletes battled it out in a spectacular fashion, to the elation of the impressive crowd in attendance. We whole heartedly congratulate Athletics Eswatini for pulling off yet another classic event. Yesterday’s championships were graced by the association’s friends from Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia. It was a violent free event and well organised.
We were also thrilled to see the different presidents from other sports associations, gracing the event. Athletics Eswatini is selling their product and are doing so well. This is what we encourage. It is what we want to see, as the visitors gave the locals stiff competition in all fronts. We noted too that the country’s top athletes in sprinters, Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa and Bongiwe Mahlalela are still impressive in their respective categories. Both sprinters did not disappoint. Even though the duo was scheduled to compete in the finals of their respective races, they looked set to dominate after powering through their heats. There can be no denying the fact that the standard was high, especially in the boys division. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done in the girls side. Congratulations are in order to AE for hosting their national championships. It’s one of the requirements before any association can be granted its operating licence for the year.
Talking of operating licences, our National Sports Associations are already aware that it is that time of the year again when they are expected to renew their recognition status with the ESRC. Before they get their operating licences, however, all the country’s sports associations and recreation bodies know that they have to undergo the mandatory review process. This process is now ongoing. However, our associations and partners will note that the deadline for the review meeting is at the end of the month.
Associations and recreational bodies should make time for this exercise before the end of the month. Meanwhile, we take this opportunity to congratulate the associations that have already undergone the process. The likes of Basketball, Rugby, Cricket, swimming and others, to mention just a few, have undergone the review process. We would like to encourage the rest to get hold of their respective contact persons so they can set dates for this crucial exercise. It is imperative for all associations to be reviewed, so we can assist them. The aim here is to help our associations in the event they encounter difficulties while trying to execute their mandates. An unrecognised association or recreation body is not entitled to any help from the government, be it financial or otherwise. We are otherwise eager to assist our people in whatever way possible.
We have never hidden our joy at seeing the country’s National Sports Associations invest heavily on their youth. The youth is the future of every sports and nurturing the youngsters should always be a priority. That is why we we would like to congratulate the Eswatini Kyokushin Association for successfully hosting a juniors grading. Reports reveal that over 20 youngsters were graded at the Msunduza Preschool in the capital city, over the past weekend.
One thing about karate, which we have noted is that the sport does not only teach discipline but actually teaches life skills.We do hope that the association will keep up the good work and continue working on the juniors. With this approach, the future of the sport is definitely bright.
Until next week; sports for all; sport for life!