Two tavern teams from Shakashead and Nkobongo involved in a fierce chase for the ball. The team from Nkobongo representing Mthembu's Tavern won this match by two goals to nill.
Government departments joined forces to host a combined sports day in Shakaskraal as part of a greater initiative to reduce crime on Saturday.
The Umhlali police, KwaDukuza municipality, Community Safety and Liaison and the KZN Liquor Authority brought together tavern owners and residents to improve the relationship between them.
“There is a perception that crime originates from the taverns. The taverns are not the problem, they trade legally. It is the shebeens that trade illegally that are the problem”, said Colonel Dieter Fittkau.Four teams put together by different tavern owners and made up of residents competed for a trophy and medals. The taverns represented were Action Bar in Driefontein, Mthembu’s Tavern in Nkobongo, Miriam’s Tavern and Jackson’s Tavern in Shakashead, and Sobona Kona Tavern in Velani. The team from Mthembu’s Tavern from Nkobongo lifted the coveted trophy at the end of the day.
Youth teams representing different wards also competed in netball, boys soccer and girls soccer. The netball and girls soccer tournaments were won by the girls form Nkobongo, while the boys from Shayamoya were kings of the soccer field.
The crowd was educated on the new liquor law in a play that took place just before the prize giving ceremony. Warrant officer Eugene Gumede said they made people aware of shortened legal trading hours, that tavern owners are no longer allowed to sell liquor to an already drunk patron and taverns have to be a minimum of 500 meters away from churches and schools and each other.
“We have already seen an improved relationship between the community and tavern owners”, said W/O Gumede.
Two tavern teams from Shakashead and Nkobongo involved in a fierce chase for the ball. The team from Nkobongo representing Mthembu’s Tavern won this match by two goals to nill.
A corner kick by a player form the Shakashead team representing Miriam’s and Jackson’s Taverns.
Officials representing the four government departments that organised the combined sports day are (back left) Warrant Officer D.P. Nzuza, Njabulo Ngubane, Sneh Ndlovu, Colonel Dieter Fittkau and Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede. (front left) Thobani Ngidi, Sissy Mkwanazi, Nokwazi Ngcongo, Sam Zwane and Thobeka Gasa.
A throw-in by a player from the Shakarshead team, representing Miriam’s and Jackson’s Taverns.
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Photo:Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede
Team Sobona Kona Tevern posed for a snapshot.
A Miriam’s Tavern player kicks the ball back onto the field.
More action from the Miriam’s Tavern/Mthembu’s Tavern game.
This time it is a member of Mthembu’s Tavern (yellow) that lands face down in the dust.
A Miriam’s Tavern player dribbling.
Photo: Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede.
A Mthembu’s Tavern soccer team member kicks the ball across the field to another team member.
Another one bites the dust during the Miriam’s Tavern against Mthembu’s Tavern match.
Miriam’s Tavern in blue and Mthembu’s Tavern in yellow.
A Miriam’s Tavern team member lost his footing against Mthembu’s Tavern.
A Miriam’sTavern player (blue) taking a dive.
A Miriam’s Tavern player prepares to receive the ball.
A Miriam’s Tavern player in action.
A Miriam’s Tavern player goes airborne as he kicks at goal. This attempt at goal was unsuccessful and Mthembu’s Tavern won the match 2-0.
The referee had his hands full with rambunctious players.
One of the Sobona Kona Tavern team members warming up.
The sports day was well supported and enthusiastic fans kept themselves entertained in between matches.
Fire and rescue services were on hand in case someone got injured and had to be taken to hospital.
Some of the dignitaries at the sports day were (left) Warrant Officer D.P. Nzuza, Councilor Jethro Banda, Ricardo Moonsamy, Shakaskraal CPF Chair Hopewell Mtshali, Umhlali Police Station CPF Chair Bongumusa Mkhize and Warrant Officer Eugene Gumede.
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