Local tennis team crowned champions
The team won gold for the third consecutive year at this year's South African Local Government Association (SALGA) games.
EMMANUEL Ngema says he is proud of his tennis team for winning gold for the third consecutive year at this year’s South African Local Government Association (SALGA) games. Ngema, who has been instrumental in transforming and introducing the game of tennis in townships in and around Durban, works as a development officer at Ethekwini Tennis Association.
“This trophy means so much to the kids and me. They have worked so hard throughout the year and it has really paid off. Going to King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay) was such an adventure for the team, and their behaviour was exemplary on and off the court. This is why I love tennis so much, it teaches children discipline, respect and tenacity which are essential in life,” said Ngema who coaches children at the Westridge Stadium Development Centre in Mayville.
The games gave thousands of young people from throughout the province an opportunity to showcase their talent in different sporting codes. Sporting codes that were played this year included athletics, football, boxing, chess, cricket, dance, basketball, golf, indigenous games, karate, netball, rugby, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. The KZN Department of Sport and Recreation was the main financial and technical supporter of the games.
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“The year has ended well for this exceptional development squad and next year they are aiming higher. We are excited that the eThekwini Department of Sport and Recreation and Tennis South Africa are staunch supporters of the ongoing development tennis progress in eThekwini and the newly named TSA/Growthpoint Development Centre will continue to identify emerging tennis stars,” added Ngema.
The first games were held over 15 years ago with just two codes of sport and has grown significantly over the years.The programme was initiated to address a serious concern around the youth not engaging in physical activity. The games are credited for exposing talent from the outlying areas of all district municipalities in the province. Many prominent current and former athletes particularly in football and boxing are the products of the tournament. Over the years, the games have also helped facilitate the development and utilisation of sustainable sports infrastructure within district municipalities.
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