Zion of Glory-hosted tournament in Stutt helps rejuvenate community and inspire the youth

The Zion of Glory Foundation hosted a successful rugby tournament last weekend in Stutterheim in what was described as the revival of sport in the Amahlathi municipal area.

The initiative had a two-day feast of rugby and teams competed for the group stages on Saturday and the semifinals took place the following day, with R10,000, rugby kit and a rotating trophy going to United Brothers after seeing off the Amatola Stars 36-7.

For their troubles Stars walked away R5,000 while third placed Home Defenders, got R3,000. The tournament will be hosted every year.

Brothers will also get an opportunity to enjoy a year long sponsorship deal, travelling and training expenses.

Glory of Zion foundation director Phindiswa Zazini Khamkham said the event was a perfect opportunity to attract youth and to reach out to them through awareness on the dangers of substance abuse.

‘‘It was also an opportunity to financially support rugby teams to ensure development in the teams. Most teams do not have proper sponsors. As a result they suffer, and this negatively impacts development, and then how do they attract youth and take them away from the streets?’’ she asked.

She added that the community of Stutterheim came in numbers during the two-day tournament. The youth gathered in one place to enjoy sport while also being educated about the dangers of substance abuse.

‘‘In essence, crime was reduced too in the process. The event was peaceful and most importantly, youth was educated on substance abuse.

“Children, aged between five and 10, also came in numbers. It is very important to teach them about drugs,’’ Khamkham said.

Khamkham concluded that the first Glory of Zion rugby tournament had been a great success.

‘‘We would to thank all the teams for playing some great games of rugby, but also to all the supporters and coaches for getting behind every team that played and cheering each of the players on. You all helped to make this tournament as successful as it was,’’ she said.