The annual AfrAsia Bank International U/18 Sevens Rugby tournament will kick off in Grand Bay on 7 October and will run for seven days.
The boys, Keith Foto, Adolf Mphahlele, Alliance Baganda and Koketso Manamela were selected to form part of the Western Wolves, a combined team from Gauteng that will participate in the tournament.
Their coach, Braam Pienaar told the North Eastern Tribune that the boys were from disadvantaged backgrounds and therefore their parents were not able to afford paying for their trip. He said, “These boys are hungry for this. It would be heartbreaking if they fail to go to the tournament simply because of lack of funding. We appeal to every person out there, to come forward and support them.”
Baganda said the experience would be life-changing for him and his teammates. “I cannot begin to explain how much we want this, and it is not only because it’s an oversees tournament, but also because there will also be scouts there and the thought of getting spotted makes us want this even more,” he said,
Pienaar said the total cost of the trip including accommodation was R87 000.
He added that should corporate companies be willing to support the players, the school could, in turn endorse their brands. “We would be more than happy to print their logos on our tracksuits as well as give them publicity through published articles,” said Pienaar.
Details: Laurence Nayager; 083 324 6351 or 011 786 2439.
