Soccer tourney to promote health among miners

Workers at the three consortiums under Barberton Mines, namely Fairview, Sheba and New Consort, will down tools on Thursday and Friday to engage in a mini-soccer tournament.
The four-team tournament, which is an inaugural one, is sponsored by Medshield Medical Aid.
The latter provides a medical-aid scheme to Barberton Mines employees.

According to Sifiso Lubisi, National Union of Mineworkers full-time shop steward, the semi-finals of the tournament will be played on Thursday December 10 with the finals on Friday December 11.
He said the tournament will comprise all three shafts of Barberton Mines and one team from Medshield.
“Both semi-finals will be played on Thursday at Fairview Sport Ground starting from 13:00. And the finals will be played at the same venue on Friday, kicking off at 15:00,” said Lubisi.

Only the champions and the runners-up will receive prizes. The champions will walk away with a Medshield branded kit and a floating trophy. The runners-up will receive branded Medshield T-shirts, goodie bags and a floating trophy.

Sonia Ngele, Medshield consultant, said the goal of the tournament is to promote workers’ health through soccer. “As Medshield we have organised the soccer games to bring workers together and engage them in health issues. The tournament goals are to promote physical exercise, social support and mental health among workers,” she said.
The draw for the tournament was conducted on Monday November 16.

Fixtures
• Thursday December 10 – Team Fairview vs Team Medshield at 13:00 and Team Sheba vs Team New Consort at 15:00. Both matches will take place at Fairview Sport Ground
• Friday December 11 – Team Fairview/Team Medshield vs Team Sheba/Team New Consort at Fairview Sports Ground at 15:00.