Talk 18 November 2021

Ta l k
OF THE Tow nSPORT
Thursday 18 N ove m b e r, 202 1
CONTACT US WITH SPORTS NEWS: (046) 624-4356 (Jon Houzet)
Local golfer selected for
EP U19 needs assistance
Promising pupil to compete in Kimberley
TK MTIKI
A15-year-old golf fanatic from
Nemato, Othimna Matiwane, has
been selected to represent Eastern
Province in the Under 19 Eastern
Interprovincial Golf Competition in
Kimberley from December 16 to 23.
The promising teen golfer is in Grade 9
at Kuyasa Combined School in Nemato.
Othimna’s teacher, Nkululeko
Mawonga, spoke fondly of the youngster,
whose mother sadly died two years ago.
“As his teacher I would like people to
support him with modern equipment,
because at the moment he is using Dr
[Leon] Nell’s old equipment.
“Every time he holds a golf stick, people
get amazed at how good he is.
“I began noticing his golf passion when
the school principal [Xolani Mayana]
called him in front on a number of
occasions in the prayer assembly to be
congratulated by other learners every time
he won something from these tournaments
he participates in,” Mawonga said.
He said Dr Nell had asked him to
support Matiwane to produce good school
results so that he could apply to one of the
schools in George which have a strong
focus on golf as a sport.
“In terms of golf, Matiwane is already
sorted because he is very good at it but Dr
Nell wants us to help him balance his golf
career with academics,” Mawonga said.
Othimna has received two individual
medals and one team medal from previous
tournaments he has competed in.
“I began to focus on golf when I lost my
mom in 2019,” Othimna told TotT.
“I wanted something to destress with
because I was stressing, but as I was
winning these medals my love for golf grew
because it also takes me to places I have
never been.”
EP is taking care of other needs at the
tournament, but the youngster still needs a
sponsor for meals, in addition to his appeal
for newer golf equipment.
Anyone who would like to support
Othimna can contact him on 073-268-
9268.
TROPHY COLLECTOR: Othimna Matiwane, left, who is in Grade 9 at Kuyasa Combined School, is
representing EP in the U19 Eastern Interprovincial Golf Competition in Kimberley from December 16 to 23
and is appealing for sponsor support. With him is teacher Nkululeko Mawonga Picture: TK MTIKI
FRIENDS WHO RIDE
SA Croquet National tournament
CYCLING CAMARADERIE: Three friends from Motherwell in
Gqeberha, from left, Francisco Marame, Dumisane Mkele and Vuyo
Phekana joined Mzwabantu Nesi from Makhanda for the recent G2C
mountain bike race from Makhanda to Port Alfred Picture: JON HOUZET
BRIAN MCLEAN
The Port Alfred Bowls and Croquet
Club hosted a highly successful South
African Croquet National tournament
with a record 65 players from all over
the country.
Unfortunately one of the entrants,
Vince Atterbury, was killed in a car
accident near George on his journey to
Port Alfred and a minute’s silence was
held on the opening evening.
Another point to be made is that
between them, C Burrows and P Fanner
had a joint age total of 180 – being 93
and 87-years-old respectively.
Competition was stiff but enjoyed
by all, according to Port Alfred croquet
president Roger Darkes.
“Due to the number of players we
had to use five lanes, meaning that no
bowls was able to take place during
the competition. Many thanks to the
bowlers for standing down,” said
Darkes.
Of the local players, Ria Burger and
Ellen Wolmarans lost their category
semifinals. Helmut Hartleb lost in the
play-off in the restricted handicap
singles and Peter Wansell was knocked
out in the open singles by Peter Dreyer.
East London’s Dave Venter emerged the
w i n n e r.
The final game of the tournament,
the open singles, was played between
two players who have represented SA in
the world cup, namely Judith Hanekom
from Somerset West and Victor Dladla
from Johannesburg. Following a close
contest which ended at 6.30pm, the
winner was Hanekom.
The competition ended with a prize
giving and the prizes were handed out
by SA Croquet president Mike Moore
and Port Alfred croquet club convenor,
Noeline Kirsten.
Social croquet continues to be
played on Wednesday and Saturday
afternoons from 1.15pm. For any new
players who may be interested in
learning how the game is played, the
Port Alfred Bowling & Croquet Club
offers free croquet lessons. For more
info contact Roger 082-373-8181.
Youth boxing tournament aim to fight drugs
TK MTIKI
With the aim of helping to keep
children away from drugs and
alcohol, the local Masakhane
Amateur Boxing Club hosted a
boxing tournament at Jauka Hall
last Saturday.
The event was attended by
various clubs including the
Kerkwood Boxing Club,
Masibambane Boxing Club,
Masakheke Boxing Club and
Kenton Boxing Club, which
fielded young boxers between
nine and 18-years-old.
The tournament theme was
“Fight Against Drugs and
Substance Abuse”.
Masakhane Amateur Boxing
manager Monwabisi Hans
explained: “We called it this
because we saw the situation of
our children in the community
that they do drugs and alcohol
and there is a high rate of
p r e g n a n cy.
“This tournament was meant
to have two or three female
fights but we could not find two
girls.
“Our main aim is to bring
back boxing in our society,
especially the kids, hence our
age groups started at nine years
old to 18,” he said.
Hans said the club wanted to
encourage youngsters to be
physically active, while also
focusing on their academics,
because sport instilled
discipline.
“We also wanted to give
them a platform to showcase
their talent. With this
tournament I realised people are
longing for boxing in Ndlambe.
“People showed a desire to
do something outside books,
football and rugby,” he said.
Hans highlighted that the
Sarah Baartman District had
requested that such a
tournament be held.
The Eastern Cape department
of sport, recreation, arts &
culture donated trophies and
medals for the winners. There
were five trophies, 13 gold
medals and 13 silver medals.
DECORATED CHAMPS: The Masakhane Amateur Boxing Club hosted a boxing tournament
themed ‘Fight Against Drugs and Substance Abuse’ at Jauka Hall on Saturday, with young
boxers aged nine to 18 who fought in age group bouts Picture: TK MTIKI