Big stars to play in All-Star Games for women

The Gauteng All-Star Games will take place on March 22 at Tsakane Stadium.

Entry will be free to all members of the public.

Moonira Ramathula, Gauteng All-Star Games tournament director, said it is a premier tournament that creates opportunities in women’s sports.

“It creates awareness and encourages young girls to continue participating in sport, especially since they get to mingle with their sporting heroes.

“The addition of netball to the tournament helps further emphasise our aims to holistically grow women’s sport and garner the support of the wider public,” said Ramathula.

The four teams in each sport will be captained by some of the biggest names in sport. The football teams will be led by current Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk and Banyana alumni Portia Modise, Lydia Monyepao and Hilda Magaia.

Former player and now SPAR Proteas assistant coach Dumi Chauke, along with Nonhle Gwavu, Mampho Tsotetsi and Simi Mdaka, will be skippering the new netball All-Star teams.

Football and netball matches will take place simultaneously and will see a mix of international experience and youthful exuberance on display when current and legendary Banyana Banyana and SPAR Proteas players play with and against youngsters from the respective regional and provincial levels, including the Sasol Gauteng Women’s League and Telkom Netball League.

The Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mbali Hlophe, said women’s sport in the province remains a priority.

“It is with great pleasure to once again be part of this one-of-a-kind sporting event, following last year’s hugely successful tournament.

“A big thank you goes to the City of Ekurhuleni, who will host the tournament for the second year in a row,” said Hlophe.

Gauteng Netball president Riana Bezuidenhout said: “Follow your passion and come and support our netball legends at the Gauteng All-Stars Games.”

Similar to last year, the Gauteng All-star Games, in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni, will host coaching clinics for several schools in and around the Tsakane community, to encourage future generations to take part in sport.