Lions pounce forward to their new court
“We were so lucky to raise the amount of money we did within one month, the community really supported us.”
Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy raised R22 000 when they hosted a month-long raffle.
The funds were raised to resurface the academy’s home court at Edenvale Sports Grounds.
On August 13, the academy held a handover ceremony for the raffle winners whose names were drawn by a professional footballer, Michael Essien. They were announced on Kaya FM on August 5.
First prize was a single flight for four people in a Bell Long Ranger helicopter over Johannesburg and surrounding areas. The winner was Baiphapi Sethaelo.
“The winner of the first prize is not able to go on the helicopter so she donated the prize back to the academy,” said coach and co-founder, Edson Makavan.
“We decided to select two underprivileged players, Monde Mahlelehlele and Penuel Mathebula, from the academy to enjoy the flight.”
Edson urged community members and children organisations to nominate underprivileged children who they believe deserve to join academy members in the helicopter.
Nominations can be made on the academy’s Facebook page or sent to byron@edenvalelions.co.za.
Closing date for nominations is the end of August 2019.
Coach and co-founder,Byron Pinheiro said two nominated children will be selected.
“We were so lucky to raise the amount of money within one month. The community supported us,” said Edson.
“Academy members also pushed hard to sell the tickets to community members.”
During the month, 220 raffle tickets were sold.
Edson said the parents of academy members donated additional funds to the academy bringing the total raised money to R45 000.
With the raised funds, the academy will be able to demolish the old court and redo it.
Pat Green, from El Gecko, said the moment they were approached by Edson, she and and her husband, James, decided to get help where they could.
Jay Chetty, operations manager of John Dory Greenstone, said, she too, is looking forward to working with the academy.
Both companies look forward to establishing long-lasting relationships with the academy.
