To date, Harmony High School from
Virginia in the Free State is the most successful school in the Sanlam Kay
Motsepe Schools Cup, having won R2,2 million in prize money between 2010 and
2012. According to Team Manager Hector Mokhali, the team competing in the 2013
Free State Provincial finals, happening on Saturday, 7 September, at the
Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre in Bloemfontein, might be young and
inexperienced, but have what it takes to win some of the R3.2 prize money on
offer this year.
The school won R700 000 in 2010
after finishing in second place and winning the provincial finals, in 2011 the
school won R1 million first prize and in 2012 finished in third place taking
home R500 000. “The funds we have won to date have made a massive
difference to the school learner’s lives, and the surrounding community,” said
Mokhali. “We have a 44-seater bus, 3 mini-buses, a TV and projector,
sprinkler system to keep our sports fields in top condition and we have even
donated R20 000 worth of sports kit to an underprivileged school in our
community.”
But Mokhali says there is still a
lot that is needed and the school Under-19 team is working hard at training to
finish in first place next Saturday. “We want a projector in every
classroom,” he said.
Harmony won the Lejwelepotsoa
district playoffs, despite a team that consists mainly of new players.
“These players are new to this competition and will be a little bit nervous,
but we are expecting them to seize the opportunity, and follow in the previous
players footsteps.” The team has played 14 games in the tournament so far, and
has won them all. “Our aim is to continue our winning streak,” Mokhali said.
“At the same time, we encourage our kids to have fun. Commitment is
what has brought us to where we are today.”
Mokhali believes the Sanlam Kay
Motsepe Cup plays a huge role in soccer development in the country. “I think it helps
young players as well as schools and community at large. South African
soccer has improved as a result and it particularly benefits the rural areas as
they get the opportunity to see the best coaching and players in the country
and improve their own game. Coaches also get to attend SAFA coaching clinics
and then go back into the communities to put this into practise.
However Mokhali believes South
Africa still has a long way to go to compete internationally. “In many
parts of the world there are extensive and sophisticated programmes with kids
entering them from the age of 5. We do not have that in our country. Our clubs
are also not as wealthy and don’t have very sophisticated programmes in place.
That’s why competitions like the Sanlam Kay Motsepe School Cup are so
important,” he said.
Competing teams:
Competing teams:
District
|
School
|
Fezile Dabi
|
Dr Reginald Cingo High
|
Lejweleputsoa
|
Harmony High
|
Thabo Mofutsanyane
|
Mohato Secondary
|
Xhariep
|
Lere la thuto
|
Xhariep
|
Ipetleng High
|
Motheo
|
