Players shine at international netball champs in Singapore

Boitumelong Secondary School participated in the 12th International Youth Netball Championships held in Singapore from November 21 to 27.

With the school’s victory in the National Kay Motsepe Netball Championships, the learners were granted an opportunity to compete internationally.

The Ekurhuleni North District sports coordinator, Solly Chokoe, was pleased with the students who defied the odds by qualifying as a township school.

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“With hard work and drive, the secondary school came fourth in their first-ever international netball challenge against TanglinTrust School from Malaysia.

“However, despite not winning the championships, one of the learners, Lelethu Mbutyana, was awarded a personal trophy for being the best defender, contributing to the team’s overall achievement of partaking in the competition.

“The team would not be successful if it was not for teamwork and support coming from different departments.

“The organisations which contributed to the team’s success are Thembisa Netball Schools Committee, the district and provincial netball structures and sponsorship provided by Kay Motsepe Foundation. We thank them for making our journey possible.”

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Chokoe urges other schools to invest in their students’ athletics programmes.

“We acknowledge the backing that parents provided by letting their children travel and participate in their favourite sporting activity.

This meant a lot to our students and they experienced travelling out of the country and learning about other people’s cultures.

“By granting them permission, parents made it possible for learners to take advantage of opportunities that will not only impact the athletes’ careers but also advance their goal of reaching greater heights and empowering young females in the sporting industry,” said Chokoe.