Winning Mayoral Cup teams rewarded and motivated

Awardees, team representatives, councillors, organisers and sponsors were invited to attend the Mayoral Sports Development awards ceremony in Tonga last Friday evening and were in high spirits after the success of the tournament.

Various sporting codes can take part in the annual tournament, with soccer’s elimination matches starting in November each year.

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The tournament’s finals were held on January 27 and featured a programme packed with basketball, wheelchair basketball, volleyball, netball and soccer. Several teams of deaf players also competed and this year school teams for ages 13, 15 and 19 were also invited to compete.

Goodluck Mabuza of the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation said he was very happy that the municipality included schools in the tournament. He stated that he hoped that there would be even more school involvement in future and that they would like to work closer with the municipality to improve sports development even more.

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Other sponsors and partners had the opportunity to speak and lauded the municipality for promoting healthy living and creating a platform where youth can exercise good hobbies.

PHOTOS of the event and sponsors: Various sporting codes awarded mayoral sport development awards

The Nkomazi Sports Council thanked the municipality for such a well-organised tournament and urged local businesses to support the various sporting codes to motivate players.

One of the speakers mentioned that there is a lot of talent in Nkomazi, but that they don’t have the opportunity to play. Through sponsorships and donations all sporting codes, not just mainstream ones like soccer, can be promoted and players supported and motivated.

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Guests were treated to an energetic performance by local-born artist Angelo. Several of the audience stood up to dance with her and were treated to a repeat performance during dinner.

Cllr Solomon Mahlalela represented the mayor and told teams that the time had come to reward their resilience and determination in the face of challenges such as a lack of resources.

Mahlalela also stated that Nkomazi’s people are very talented and that a number of locals have been chosen to play on both the national and international stage.

He mentioned that the community’s massive support for sport continues to inspire the municipality and that’s why they invested in upgrades for local stadiums like Mangweni and Mbuzini.

The event concluded with the winning players and teams receiving their certificates, trophies and cheques:

Basketball u/19: Ntunda Spurs

Seniors: Ntunda Lakers

Wheelchair basketball: Simunye East

Volleyball u/19: Mbangwane

Netball u/13: Ngwenyama Primary

u/15: Njeyeza High School

u/19: Sidlamafa Netball

Open: Kamhlushwa Bernini

Deaf: Silindokuhle

Soccer women: Schoemansdal Super Strikers

Masters: Central Masters

Open: Mandulo Manchester

u/21: Kamhlushwa City Stars

Deaf: Bukhosibetfu

Click here to view photos of the recipients.