Basketball in need of help

DAANTJIE – Passionate and driven and lovers of basketball have never given up the hope of reviving the sport despite financial constraints regarding the upkeep the game.

The co-founder of Daantjie Shooters, Swenkie Mamba was never demotivated by the lack of financial support from government and business people around Daantjie. He always did his best to keep the game going.

His team represents the communities of Pienaar and Daantjie.
They won the 2012 tournament, but were forced to use the R8 000 prize money to renovate the court.

Mpumalanga News learnt that it was in a state of disrepair as the cement floor was cracking.

They are regarded as the biggest local basketball club.
Swenkie said, “I always pay transport for my team for tournaments. I am doing it for the love of the game.”

There are no toilets, dressing rooms or taps and nobody to maintain the yard.

They always request water from nearby homes when hosting tournaments. They have only been assisted by the school governing body of nearby Sibambisene Combined School who lend them equipment like tables and chairs.

The team consists of 18 members who make up the u/15 and u/23 teams.

Swenkie said plans were afoot to establish a women’s team too as currently they only had five members. They train every Tuesday and Thursday at 16:30.

“We desperately need financial help from the local government and private business so that we can grow our team. We also wish to be recognised equally like other sporting codes such as soccer. It will not be easy to develop the sport without financial assistance,” he said.