Developing ringball in Ekurhuleni
A ringball development tournament was held in Brakpan.
Bongani Radebe, sponsorship and marketing director for Ringball South Africa, is one of a few people in the region driving the sport of ringball in previously disadvantaged areas.
He is one of a handful of project managers tasked with developing ringball in Ekurhuleni East, by introducing the game to children who may never have had the opportunity to play it.
As part of this drive to grow the sport, he arranged a Women’s Day tournament at the Charl Baard Stadium, in Brakpan, on Saturday, August 9, where four schools from previously disadvantaged areas battled it out on the courts.
In attendance on the day was Elize Durand, vice-president of development at Ringball South Africa, who told the Herald that the goal of the body is to develop this 107-year-old South African creation to all the people of the country.
“Our main focus is geared at getting children away from the streets by playing ringball,” she said.
“We are aiming to incorporate these children into the mainstream federation.
“Ringball offers an opportunity for the young players to obtain national colours and offers the chance for them to play internationally, in countries like India, where the game is also taking shape.”
She added that the major challenge facing the sport is a lack of funding.
“There is always a big shortage of funds which makes it difficult to take talent further,”she said.
“There is a big opportunity for companies to invest in a growing game.”
Durand added that anybody interested in assisting with the development projects can visit the Ringball SA Facebook page.
Click here for a gallery from the tournament.
