[SHARE] Help save rugby boys’ tour
Hours and hours of raising a grand total of R200 000, went in vein when the tour company that was entrusted to make the team’s dream into a reality, fled with the money instead.
Heart broken. This is the feeling of 23 learners from Kuswag Skool in Amanzimtoti whose dreams of travelling to Namibia for a rugby tour in March next year was shattered. Hours and hours of raising a grand total of R200 000, went in vein when the tour company that was entrusted to make the team’s dream into a reality, fled with the money instead.
Despite the money loss being a huge blow, not only for the rugby team but the community at large, staff at the school and parents are still hopeful that they can make a come back from their biggest defeat.
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A crowd funding campaign has since been created and almost R1300 has been raised, while this seems like an insignificant amount compared to the money that was initially raised, it is a beacon of hope to the youngsters.
A release was issued by the school that read, “Kuswag Skool in Amanzimtoti has fondly become known as that ‘small school down the South Coast’ with a big heart and superb academic and sport achievements. Rugby is a favourite sport among our boys and in our schooling community and Kuswag has always achieved exceedingly well at this very competitive game. In 2018 the first team squad had a successful tour to Mauritius and the team made a name for itself both on and off the field. We have planned to undertake a tour to Namibia from the 21 to 30 March 2020 and participate in the Walvis Bay Private High School Dessert Sports Festival. This is an international tournament. To our utter dismay, the original touring agency whom we had entrusted with the account absconded with an amount of about R 200 000. This has of course put the viability of the tour in jeopardy and the boys and their parents, who worked so hard over a long period to collect these funds, have been left high and dry. For many of our boys, but particularly the Matrics of 2020, this is a hard blow. We thus respectfully request a financial sponsorship from business concerns or individuals who have the heart to make this dream come true for our boys. Our requirement is in the range of R10 000 per player (23 players in the squad.”
The amount includes, the return airfare to Walfish Bay via Cape Town, travelling costs, meals, accommodation and tournament fees. “The school undertakes to make every effort to recognise the company/ individual in an appropriate manner after consultation,” the letter read.
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Principal of the school, Chris Lindeque described the incident as a blow and said, “It is sad that people are so dishonest. We previously used the same travel company and they did an excellent job. The parents and learners are doing everything in their power to make the trip possible.”
Those who would like to assist the learners through donations can use the following banking details First National Bank Amanzimtoti, Kuswag Skool, account number: 50921288847, branch code: 220127, reference: Namibia Tour with donor or company name.
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