Rize Up rope skippers from eMba represent South Africa in America

The local rope skipping team, Rize Up Skippers, will represent the country at the World Jump Rope Federation Championship.

This takes place in Orlando, Florida in America from 30 June to 10 July.

Mbali Nyundu (22), Amanda Msongelwa (16), Sonopo Tshilwane (24) and their coach, Ms Keolebogile Mokolopo, are the selected members of the team that took part in the international competition following their excellent performance at the national competition.

Rize Up Skippers was established in 2009 by Ms Mokolopo with only five members and it grew to 35 members over the years.

It held the South African Championship title since 2010 and has managed to sustain that performance.

Though the team is excited about this great accomplishment, they are facing financial challenges as the championship is 100 per cent self-funded.

Ms Mokolopo said the club is free because most parents cannot afford the monthly fees.

“The total amount needed for the championship is R38 000 per person, excluding recreational activities.

“Any financial support will be highly appreciated.

“I am calling on people to help us in our quest of keep the youth away from negative things.”

Ms Mokolopo is a seasoned athlete in this sport and has been selected as the national coach of the team that is going to the championship.

She is the national record holder since 2006, a double team gold medalist at the Canada World Championship in 2006 and she qualified as a facilitator, judge and a rope skipping judge in 2008.

She was awarded a retiring jumper of the year 2011, is the chairman of Rope Skipping South Africa 2016 and will be the international judge this year.