The Rep 9 April 2021

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Friday 9 April, 202 1
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Action returns to fields
Sports teams’ performance tested in Easter weekend tournaments, after lengthy break from play
ZINTLE BOBELO
Sports fanatics were in for a
treat last weekend when a
range of Easter
tournaments took place around
the Chris Hani District.
Speaking to The Rep,
Komani zone secretary Ringo
Klaas said with the local
football association league
games around the corner,
preparations were well
u n d e r way.
The aim of the tournaments,
which took place at the
Nomzamo sports fields and
Dumpy Adams complex over
the weekend, was to determine
the players’ readiness for the
upcoming first round games.
“Teams participating are
those registered under the South
African Football Association as
the tournament was hosted by
the executive of the Komani
zone. The tournament showed
that the pandemic had caused a
lot of damage as the games
displayed loss of quality.
“Discipline is still there, the
players are eager to play, but
there was a lack in physical
performance, which comes
from not playing in a long time.
“We thank the sponsors for
their support, Phumelele Hlati,
Jan Draghoender and
contributions from the clubs.”
He said a tournament for the
junior players would take place
this weekend.
Eighteen Sixty emerged
victorious by 3-1 in the final
against rivals Phoenix FC on
Monday. This after winning 4-3
on penalties against Try Again
in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Zwartwater
Development Forum
chairperson Zanoxolo Qali said
a number of spectators
supported their soccer and
netball tournament in Gcibhala.
The Tigers soccer club were
the champions on the day,
beating Mabatshe 1-0. The
Qumbu Netball Club secured it
for the girls in a game against
Pola Netball team.
Golden Chiefs FC from
Thembalethu in Ntabethemba
were the title-holders in a
tournament held at Tentergate,
AIMING FOR
NET: Phoenix
FC and
Eighteen Sixty
battle it out in
their final, in
one of the
tournaments
held in the
Chris Hani
District.
Eighteen Sixty
won 3-1
Picture: ZINTLE
BOBELO
beating Tentergate United
Brothers FC 4-2 on penalties.
Ko m a n i ’s Sibabalwe Netball
Club won in the netball games.
From Mlungisi to afar,
the thrill of school, club
rugby will be felt again
MAXWELL LEVINE
School and club rugby received a
huge boost last week with the
announcement by SA Rugby that
play could resume later this month.
This after a year of inactivity due
to the Covid-19 pandemic, which
resulted in a total shutdown of
school sport and amateur rugby
across the country.
Clubs can start as soon as April
12, with schools rugby resuming a
little later on Friday, April 23.
The decision was made after an
announcement by the department of
basic education that it had made an
amendment of direction in terms of
regulation 4(3) under the disaster
management Act, indicating that
schools could resume matches and
national tournaments without
spectators, subject to compliance
with the relevant health and safety
measures.
In accordance with SA Rugby’s
return-to-play protocols, which
make player safety and welfare key
priorities, clubs have received the
green light to advance from contact
training to playing matches.
However, this is based on the
proviso that all Covid-19 protocols
are strictly adhered to and that every
club player must have completed the
compulsory four-week contact
t ra i n i n g .
The timing of this announcement
is perfect, with Border usually
starting their league fixtures after the
Easter weekend.
“We were delighted to receive
the news that schools rugby can
recommence as announced by the
department of basic education, and
we share in the schools and club
p l aye r s ’ excitement to return to the
field” SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux
said.
“However, we will not take any
risks. Player safety is of utmost
importance to us and, as the
custodians of rugby in South Africa,
it is imperative that the return-to-play
protocols that were followed by
professional teams be applied at
schools and club level as well.
“These protocols were designed,
based on medical evidence, with the
purpose of ensuring that the players’
bodies are ready to cope with the
impact of full contact and to keep
injuries to a minimum.
“It would be remiss of us to allow
the excitement of returning to play
overshadow player safety. Any
schools or clubs that defy these
protocols will do so at their own risk.
“The fact that these players have
missed out on a year of their rugby
development, with some of them
having missed the crucial Under-16
age group, will see them being thrust
into the U18 and U19 age groups,
making it critical that every
precaution is taken to ease their
transition back into rugby.”
From Mlungisi Stadium to
Victoria Grounds in King William’s
Town, to Mooiplaas, Mdantsane and
East London, the Berlin fields to
Cumakala, all the way to
Ngqamakwe and Tsolomnqa, we
will hear the chants.
READY TO TACKLE: The Breakers team members displayed their new sports regalia, courtesy of Hollywoodbets
and the Supersport television show 'Phaka' Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO
New gear a morale boost
for Breakers rugby team
ZINTLE BOBELO
The Breakers rugby team
were in high spirits at the
Mlungisi Stadium last week
when handed new gear by
sports betting company
Hollywoodbets, in
collaboration with
SuperSport’s show, Phaka.
Supersport commentator
and rugby analyst,
Masomelele Jucwa, a former
Queen’s College pupil, said
as a way of giving back to his
place of birth, he had chosen
Breakers as one of the
deserving teams to receive
the aid.
“Each commentator from
Supersport had to nominate
a club of their choice to
receive a donation of rugby
equipment.
“Having spent most of
my life in Komani, I decided
to give back to this local
team.
“We were supposed to
do this handover some time
last year but due to Covid-
19, it had to be delayed and
we are happy that it finally
happened today.”
H o l l y wo o d b e t s
representative, Xola
Mkhatshane, said the
company was excited to be
involved in sponsoring one
of the top, long-existing
teams.
“We believe in ploughing
back to the community
because we want to see
people grow and unite in
sport.
“We donated tracksuits,
T-shirts, sports bags and gym
e q u i p m e n t ,” said
Mkhatshane.
Breakers manager
Solomon Manzi said the
players were thrilled to have
received the much-needed
sports equipment, adding
that it was a real morale
boost for them ahead of the
rugby league.
“We have started
preparing for the Super
League under the strict
conditions because of
C ov i d - 1 9 .
“Though things have
been tough for us, I believe
that after a few games the
boys will be ready,” Manzi
said.