Netball now part of u/13 boys only tournament

Orlando Chauke

LIMPOPO – THE annual u/13 boys soccer tournament organised by Build it in conjunction with Giyani Super Spar will take a new shape this year as it will include girls in the netball category, adding flavour to what was known as a boys only tournament.

Giyani Build it has been hosting the u/13 boys tournament since 2013. Its impact and popularity has resulted in a call from schools to include girls in the tournament.

The tournament will kick off on September 5 and the winning teams will be awarded trophies, medals and other sports items.

“We hope to register a minimum of 80 primary schools this year, with approximately 1 280 boys and 800 girls participating in the tournament,” says one of the organisers, Solly Mavikane.

According to Andre Steenkamp, the manager at Giyani Build it, which initiated the tournament, the aim of the event is to groom potential soccer stars.

“As a company, we believe in giving back to the community in a way that would take children off the streets, this is why our tournament involves all the primary schools in the Greater Giyani Municipality,” he says.

Speaking in support of the initiative, Abraham Manganyi, the head of portfolio of sports in Greater Giyani Municipality, says the municipality will give its full support to the initiative.

“We will ensure the sports grounds are modified as requested by the organisers so that the children will play on a platform that suits them,” explains Manganyi.

“It is through these kinds of initiatives that society will achieve prosperity in the face of poverty and unemployment.”

He congratulates Built it and Spar for their efforts in helping government take children off the streets.