Municipal athletes off to Namibia

THE Greater Tzaneen Municipality sent a team of athletes to Namibia to participate in the annual Southern African Inter- Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) championships next week.

A total of 98 players would compete against their counterparts from other Southern African municipalities in soccer, netball, fishing, pool, table tennis, darts, volley ball and golf.

Speaking during the send-off, held at the Council Chambers in Tzaneen, mayor Dikeledi Mmetle warned the players to distance themselves from taking drugs, alcohol and said they should not have a negative attitude towards one another.

She called on players to work hard to win a minimum of 10 trophies in honour of the former South African president, Nelson Mandela.

“I urge all the players to go out there and make us proud. Put Tzaneen on the map,” she said. The team was sent off by six councillors, the mayor, municipal manager, Masiye Mankabidi and the director for community services, Obby Mkhombo.

It is expected that Mmetle, Mankabidi and Mkhomba would join the team at the closing ceremony at the end of next week.

According to Mankabidi, an estimated R650 000 was approved by council for transport, accommodation, catering, attire and materials.

“Some of the players’ uniforms have been donated by private sponsors,” he said.