SEDIBENG.—The Sedibeng U16 Basketball Team is the 2024 Gauteng Basketball League Champions. The team was crowned champions in Tshwane over the weekend. The Sedibeng U16 team has had a good run since the league started, and they were rewarded for their consistency.
Sedibeng Ster Sport was informed about the news by the Sedibeng Basketball Team’s Jappie Hlalele, who quickly congratulated the team.
He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that hard work and determination saw the team crowned as champions. The Sedibeng U16 team had exciting talent, and it came as no surprise that they were crowned champions in their divisions.
“We are very proud of our team because this league is one of the best in Gauteng but they were determined to make a name for themselves. It is encouraging to see our local team compete against the best in basketball and come out on top. I admired their fighting spirit and I must say they deserve to be champions. They worked very hard to achieve this. We all know how tough this league is but they showed up and counted among the best in Gauteng. We want to thank everyone who contributed to the teams’ success, technical staff, management, and players. Not forgetting the support of the parents for allowing these players to come to training and games,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hlalele said they are going to Pretoria to participate in the basketball tournament from October 18-20. He said their biggest challenge is that five players can’t afford to pay R650 for this trip.
He appeals to the community, especially companies and businesses, to help these players make their dreams come true. Hlalele said the downfall of the development of sports is the lack of sponsorships, especially sporting codes such as basketball.
He said something must be done about this because basketball is one of the sporting activities that keeps youngsters busy and away from criminal activities including drugs.
