#WomensMonth: U20 Women’s handball tourney a success
This tournament also raised awareness against gender-based violence with the message ‘enough is enough'
The Sunningdale Sports Centre in Cape Town hosted the inaugural national U20 women’s handball tournament organised by the South African Handball Federation (SAHF).
This was the first event hosted by the new SAHF executive. Six provinces – Eastern Cape, KZN, Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng, and the hosts Western Cape – participated in the event.
This tournament also raised awareness against GBV with the message ‘enough is enough’.
“As women in handball, we are tired of being deprived of our opportunity of living freely as a young generation,” said SAHF president Nompumeleo Ntshangase.
Ntshangase and her team decided to celebrate Women’s Month by inviting young women from different provinces to participate in the U20 tournament to be taught sports values to encourage and instil confidence in handballers that through sport, women can learn important life skills such as teamwork.
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“While there are barriers that prevent young women from taking part in sports, SAHF, along with other sister federations, continue to work on a policy to address all of the challenges faced by our female athletes.
“Among these issues are safety and transportation after training, a lack of information and mentoring by female sports leaders, poverty, and the economy,” added Ntshangase.
In addition to the announcement that the U20 Women’s Handball Cup will be celebrated annually, the president also urged the players to keep pursuing their dreams in sport until they become the women they are meant to be.
SAHF former president Ruth Saunders reminded the players that we live in challenging times and they should, therefore, stay strong and stand up for themselves. Furthermore she point out that handball is an Olympic sport that upholds the values that athletes should hold dear such as excellence, sportsmanship, fair play, and respect.
Saunders also emphasised the importance of respect at home in the classroom, community and within teams (national, provincial, and international).
“You will survive if you respect others,” she said.
The following individuals were also recognised for their individual brilliance:
• Winners – Gauteng
• Runners-up – Western Cape
• Coach of the Tournament: Yandiswa Ntshayana (Gauteng)
• Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Esethu Plaatjie (Western Cape)
• Player of the Tournament: Tryphina Mohlala (Gauteng)
Also Read: Gauteng selects team for U20 handball nationals
