All-girl basketball team defies the odds
'We subscribe to the belief that gender is just that-a label
The Thabang Primary School basketball team defied the odds and proudly etched their names on the minds of basketball fanatics when their all-women team dominated the male teams at a recent tournament called the Summer Games, which held at the Hector Peterson Memorial in Phefeni last Saturday.
According to the Dobsonville-based team coach Rapelang Semente, their U11 basketball team was established in August and has made incredible strides within a short space of time.
Semente said, “It was the first time in our history that we participated in this tournament and the players acquitted themselves well.
“We subscribe to the belief that gender is just that-a label. Because of this firm belief, we were never threatened to be pitted against our male counterparts.”
Despite the enthusiasm they displayed on the court, the team was knocked out in the early stages of the competition.
Coach Semente said their objective was not only results-orientated but more about how they applied themselves and coped under pressure.
“Before we could master and promote basketball to be on the same level with our counterparts in countries such as Mozambique and Angola, we should first learn to master the art of officiating basketball games.
“When we get the basics right, the rest will follow.
“I was little disappointed about the officiating and how players made mistakes which went unpunished during the tournament. We were knocked out by our neighbours from Dobsonville Lodirile Primary School, by a 7-1 score, but they learned a thing or two from my players,” said Semente.
The D12 district official, Cathy Badenhorst said they were excited about the turnout, especially the Soweto primary schools which was in sharp contrast to the poor turnout by the high schools.
She said, “We were encouraged that the Albertina Sisulu School for learners with special needs also participated in the tournament.
“There were a wide range of sporting codes on the day, including gymnastics, basketball, table tennis and rugby,” said Badenhorst.
