The long-awaited sports day at Sandringham High School (SHS), the Freedom Cup Festival, finally arrived.
On 15 May, the community made its way to the school to support the ‘rebirth of SHS’ during their inter-school sports challenge.
Principal Anand Brijnath said the boys and girls were all well-behaved and Covid-19 safety regulations were strictly enforced on the day. Sports clubs from Soweto and Highlands North were in attendance.
“Former learners at Sandringham High showed their support and that for me was the greatest motivation. The volunteering spirit of parents and learners really amazed me and the school governing body was also very supportive. The teachers coming back and saying it was the best day was also very touching,” said Brijnath.
Rugby coordinator and coach Paul Farrow said it was great to see the children being children again. “It was a huge success and the chance to give the school a good name again and showing the community what direction we’re going in was appreciated. All the negativity that the school will never be the same was erased, and through this we saw that it will only get better,” Farrow added.
He extended his gratitude to Manoj Singh of MS Media and Promotion for sponsoring all the first team kits for netball, rugby, girls’ and boys’ soccer and basketball as well as KM Telecoms for their sponsorship.
Sports director at the school Roberto Mukendi said, “Considering where we’ve come from and what we’re aiming to achieve, Saturday was a huge success. We set the tone in terms of the way forward in sporting in schools.
“Special thanks to the food stores that came through, and our biggest sponsor Standard Bank who donated medals and drinks for the contestants and referees. The paramedics team was very efficient, and the soccer and basketball officials also took on great responsibility and showed good sportsmanship. It’s fair to say it was successful and also fair to say we can do even better in the next one.”
Rugby coach Sicelo Dubazana said the experience was a learning curve, not just sports wise, but in event coordination as well. “We aim to continue to strengthen our ties with the community, sports departments at and outside of the school as well as sponsors.
“Our mandate as the sporting department at SHS is not just to instill sports but also education. Making the two go hand in hand will lead to the betterment of the child as not all are gifted academically but some may get their big break through in sports.”
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