ANDILE MOSHOESHOE
KOKSTAD was abuzz during the Easter weekend with a variety of sporting events hosted by the Greater Kokstad Municipality.
The annual Mayoral Easter Tournament, between Saturday and Monday, featured soccer and netball games.
Poor weather conditions meant that matches in Xolo Xolo had to be moved to the Bhongweni Youth Centre.
In the senior football final, Esayidi TVET FC delivered a clinical performance by crushing Sobantu FC 3-0 to seal the championship in an emphatic fashion and walk away with a R25 000 prize.
Fighters FC finished second and pocketed R10 000, while Sobantu FC claimed third place and received R5 000.
In the netball division, Jaguars netball team emerged victorious and claimed the R20 000 top prize, followed by Leads netball team in second place with R10 000, while Hashtag netball team settled for third and won R5 000.
The U17 football category showcased the depth of local talent as Sobantu FC took first place and won R10 000, followed by Real Friends FC with a R5 000 win, while Unity FC secured third place and won R2 000.
The Greater Kokstad Municipality mayor Lwanda Madikizela explained that the tournament formed part of a broader strategy to develop young people, sharpen their sporting talent and steer them away from the destructive grip of drugs and alcohol.
He admitted that poor sporting infrastructure remained the biggest challenge facing local youth development, but said the municipality was moving fast to change that.
He revealed that funds have already been set aside to refurbish sports facilities this year, with additional financial backing expected from higher levels of government.
“This tournament is not only about competition, but building disciplined, healthy and focused young people while creating safer communities through sport,” he said.
