The Sport Initiative Projects hosted several workshops and handball tournaments at Ekurhuleni schools from June 6 to 16 to raise awareness on issues affecting young people in the community.

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According to the organisation’s founder Brian Mdlalose, they aimed to use handball and sport in general to provide knowledge on issues ranging from human trafficking to child and substance abuse.

“We had officials from SANCA who addressed the children about substance abuse and Nyiko Chauke, a post-graduate student from the University of Johannesburg, who focused extensively on trafficking and child abuse.”

Mdlalose told the publication that they planned to use Youth Month to make handball more attractive and grow participation in the sport.

“Before Covid-19, we hosted successful handball events with over 200 children participating.

“We wanted to provide knowledge and fun with handball in schools with the vision to develop the sport while keeping the youth away from the life of crime and drugs.”

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With the help of Play Handballza, the organisation was able to invite acclaimed international handball coach Martin Berger from Germany to facilitate the workshops.

“Martin helped us with training by imparting invaluable information about handball to local educators. He also facilitated coaching workshops.

“He also held a workshop for club coaches at the Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg to help with the development of handball in South Africa.”

Mdlalose added that his organisation plans to continue with the workshops to grow the sport in other areas around the region.

The tournament was won by Dumehlezi Primary School in the boys’ category while Mayfield Primary beat Kgalema and Madingoane Primary Schools to scoop the girls’ trophy.

Mdlalose has invited anyone interested in the sport of handball to call him on 073 646 3021 for more information.