Kwa-Komani netball and rugby teams the victors
Action sees local school sports revived after Covid hiatus
The immeasurable value of sport was evident among young athletes and local supporters as the PH Splash netball series and the high schools rugby and soccer leagues reached the end of their first programme.
Amid a hive of activity at Luvuyo Lerumo High School’s sports grounds on Friday, Kwa-Komani Technical School claimed both the netball and rugby trophies in hard-fought battles between John Noah and Nkwanca High Schools. The rugby match saw rivals Nkwanca High lose the intense game by a mere 6-5 score, and the Kwa-Komani netball team won 32-22 in the final.
Phululutho Activities director Phumelele Hlati said the aim was to revive sports in schools again.
He said they were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm shown by all the schools
“The children have been more than willing to play, which shows that what has been happening in the last few years had nothing to do with lack of interest.
“They needed the right platform and the right competition for them to come out. I believe we have achieved everything we set out to do because the schools are now more than prepared to take time off and play sport,” he said.
Kwa-Komani netball coach Nwabisa Ngculu, who was also recently announced as Coach of the Year at the EC Sport and Recreation Achiever Awards, said the initiative was important and had played a huge role in helping steer young people away from drugs.
“I love working with young people who have respect and who know what they want to achieve.
“As a coach, I am happy that we won this round of the programme.”
Kwa-Komani rugby coach Mpathi Maqina said the journey had been a tough one, especially after sport had been halted due to Covid-19.
“We had to push. We all had to sacrifice our time, there were challenges, but when we got to the field, we became one family.
“Nkwanca fought really hard today, but we will soon play a game together.”
Hlati said they hoped to hold a bigger and better competition in future that would include primary schools, which were also lacking on the sporting front.
The soccer league final between Nkwanca and Luvuyo Lerumo had to be called off on Wednesday after a goal keeper sustained a leg injury.
It will be played next week.