Duduza learners represent Eastern Gauteng at SA U19 Badminton Championships, help team secure second place
Two young athletes from Duduza are making waves on the national badminton stage, helping Eastern Gauteng to a silver finish at the SA U19 Championships, despite coming from a club with minimal resources and big dreams.
Duduza – Asanda Mabuza and Refiloe Tshabalala represented the Eastern Gauteng Badminton Association at the SA U19 Open & Kerr Cup Championships at John Tyres Cape Town recently.
The learners from Mamelong Comprehensive School and NN Ndebele High School were part of the Easterns team that came second, losing to the host, the Cape Town Badminton Association.
“Eyethu is striving to succeed despite facing financial constraints. The club operates in a challenging environment, with inadequate facilities and a lack of proper equipment.
“Under those circumstances, we managed to produce Refiloe Tshabalala, a member of the SA U17 national team to date.
“We thank the following organisations, who impacted Eyethu’s ability to participate in the tournaments: Imab Powers, Tranvaal Galvaniser, Mbele and Sons Holdings,d Badminton South Africa and, moreover, the parents,” said Bongani Simelane.
The upcoming event is the SA U17 Inter-Provincial Championships in Bloemfontein from October 4, where Eyethu will send a team of four boys and four girls.
For anyone interested in joining the club, training takes place at the Duduza Multipurpose Centre from Monday to Friday at 15:30.
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