Mams paintball team crowned champions
The paintball team played with different teams across South Africa until they went to the finals and won the tournament in Boksburg.
The first-ever paintball team in Mamelodi was crowned champions of the Airsoft league, by the South African Paintball Association at the weekend.
The local team called Ghost Paintball Mamelodi were at their best as they defeated Paintball City from Boksburg 24-7 at the tournament held in Krugersdorp on September 19.
The team which was formed last year, with only five young people, won vouchers, paintball gear such as guns, helmets and paintballs. They also got a sponsor as well.
Founder and coach of Ghost Paintball Mamelodi Martin Mokalapa (34) said the tournament started in June, and he decided to enter the competition and played against 15 teams across South Africa and won the tournament.
“We played with different teams across South Africa until we went to the finals and won the tournament in Boksburg,” said Mokalapa.
“Our team has about 90 children and only 20 qualified to play at a professional level. I am proud of the boys. They played very well in the tournament,” said Mokalapa.
He said it was not easy to start a paintball team in Mamelodi and never thought one day the team will grow to win a such a big tournament.
The boys are proud and some of the team members want to take the sport to another level and make it their sports career.
“The paintball team is not just a team. We have an educational group programme where we assist the members with schoolwork in mathematics and science,” said Mokalapa.
Ghost members practice next to Reitiretse car wash in Tsamaya Road, Mamelodi West, from Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 18:00.
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Mokalapa said there was a lot of talent in Mamelodi and urged parents to allow their children to participate in different sports in order to identify their hidden talents.
Young children of Mamelodi have shown interest in the sports and the place is always packed with boys and girls who want to learn about paintball.
Mahlatse Seete (17) from Mamelodi East said he was happy that they won and beat all the teams.
“It was not easy because we never grew up playing paintball but with dedication we pull through and went to the finals where we won.”
Tshiamo Phasha (14) of Mamelodi West, said he would like to take the sport very seriously and his dream was to represent South Africa in the Olympics.
He also encouraged Mamelodi children to stay away from doing bad things and participate in different sports activities.
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