Malalane celebrates opening of multipurpose sports centre

It was a day of celebration for the local community last Saturday, with the opening of the Malelane SUPERSPAR multipurpose sports facility.

The centre, which has four courts, can cater for netball, soccer and cricket. It will be used by local school teams, clubs and even provincial teams like the Mpumalanga Sunbirds, and will give local administrators, team managers and coaches an opportunity to develop their sports.

It was a festive occasion on Saturday, with music provided by a local marimba band. The Netball World Cup mascot, Letsatsi, was present, and the Mpumalanga Sunbirds hosted a netball clinic. Twenty five schools took part in a friendly netball tournament and two male netball teams played an exhibition match.

Soccer fans also had something to enthuse about when a team from Malelane SUPERSPAR took on a local community team, Idlabantu FC.

Lex Hollmann, owner of Malelane SUPERSPAR, said the decision to build the facility was inspired by SPAR’s support for netball over many years. South Africa hosting the Netball World Cup in Cape Town later this year was seen as an opportunity to increase the scope of netball in the community.

“Financial constraints in the community make it difficult for children to travel to areas that have sports facilities,” said Hollmann.
“We can also incorporate other campaigns like an anti-gender-based violence campaign and a sanitary pad drive to keep girls in school. We are providing a safe space for children to play the sport they love,” he said.

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“SPAR has long been associated with assisting women in sport,” said SPAR’s sponsorships and events controller, Bella Mogane.

“But we have always been ready to lend a helping hand to other sporting codes that need assistance in developing young talent at a grassroots level. This multisports facility will inspire and drive a passion for netball, soccer, and cricket.” She said it will have a positive impact on the people of Malalane.

“To have a facility we can call home is a dream come true,” said Bongi Maseko, the president of the Ehlanzeni Netball Association.

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“It will help us prepare for games, scout for talent, and develop skills through the sport we are passionate about.

“We are humbled by the gift SPAR has offered to our community.”

The president of Netball South Africa, Cecilia Molokwane, attended the opening and was delighted with the investment Malelane SUPERSPAR had made to the area.

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“SPAR has been the longest sponsor of netball in South Africa and is committed to the promotion and development of the game through its sponsorship investment.

“There is a SPAR wherever you go all over South Africa and netball is played throughout the country. It is the biggest women’s sport and second biggest sporting code in the country after football, and the fastest-growing sport in SA. So it made perfect sense for Netball South Africa to partner with SPAR. SPAR is good for netball.”