Basketball teams from across Gauteng will descend on Edenvale sports grounds when Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy hosts the U19 Vale Tournament.
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Set to be held at Elba’s home courts on July 30 and 31, the event has been described by the academy’s co-founder Edson Makavan as being a first of its kind.
It will be the first Vale tournament that specifically accommodates junior basketball players.
Teams will compete for the first-place prize of R35 000, a second-place prize of R10 000 and a third-place prize of R5 000.
Ten teams are set to compete in the tournament. Makavan said there are still four open slots for teams interested in entering.
Entry into the tournament will cost R3000.
The teams will compete in two groups of five and play in a series of knockout games on the first day of the tournament.
The second day of the tournament will see the remaining teams battle it out in the finals.
“The reason why this TVT will be a first is that it is more than a tournament, it is also going to be a fundraiser for South African musician Bonginkosi Dlamini also known as Zola 7,” said Makavan.
Makavan said that during the tournament funds will be raised for Dlamini’s medical bills through a raffle and various other activities such as half-court shots.
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“The academy has been in contact with practitioners at Cancure and will pay the funds raised into the account of medical professionals,” said Makavan.
“Zola is a Kwaito legend who has helped a lot of people himself personally I have worked with him. Over the years we lost contact.”
Explaining why Elba decided to assist Dlamini, Makavan said the academy knew that he was not feeling well.
“When I saw that Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize had assisted Zola earlier this year it motivated us to do something.”
After contacting co-founder of the academy Byron Pinheiro, the Elba duo visited Dlamini at his Soweto home and started preparations.
Makavan said the visit to Dlamini’s home was successful.
“Zola was happy to see us and informed us that we were the first basketball players to come and visit him.”
Dlamini, an ambassador of the academy, said it is wonderful to be a part of the tournament. He explained that the funds raised will assist his epilepsy treatment.
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“Since meeting Byron and Edson, I am longer afraid, I am feeling stronger,” said Dlamini.
“I feel like I can live and achieve what I set my mind to.”
Despite him looking forward to the event, he said it pained him to see that there were no more basketball courts in areas like Soweto, Alexandra or Tembisa.
“Not every child is interested in soccer.
“I believe more needs to be done especially by large sports clubs to develop basketball as a sport in the country,” said Dlamini.
He said although basketball is slowly gaining popularity, Dlamini believes more can be done.
“There are many children and players who have the raw talent that hasn’t been tapped into yet.”
Speaking about his interest in basketball, Dlamini said it started as a child.
“When I was younger, I thought I had a disease of being different until one day I realised I was normal.
“I may have been different because I liked basketball but I realised that I liked who I was.”
Dlamini said by promoting basketball and other sports children will be kept busy and won’t have time to damage property or participate in criminal activities.
He emphasised that children need constant stimulation.
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“It’s no longer about me or the adults. It’s about the children for they are the future,” said Dlamini.
Besides being a first of its kind, U/19 TVT will be a curtain-raiser for Elba’s R1m TVT it plans to host in December.
“We are super excited as the academy and its players are amped for the tournament. It’s a dream come true,” said Pinheiro.
He said leading up to the tournament Elba’s players have been proving themselves in a series of warm-up games.
The academy recently faced off against UJ and Spartans Academy and won 51-29 and 58-39 respectively.
Pinheiro said doing well in the warm-up games has motivated the players.
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“There is a good chance of us excelling in the tournament.”
The tournament will start at 08:00 with an opening ceremony and a celebrity game.
Pinheiro said there will be no entrance fee and community members are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact 082 969 4172.
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