The
iconic South African sporting brand and soccer giant, Kaizer Chiefs, on Monday
announced the appointment of former Proteas cricket star, Makhaya Ntini, as
Team Manager of their Sevens rugby team that will play in the inaugural NBM
7sPL tournament at Outeniqua Park in George on December 14th and 15th.
This
announcement of Ntini, a true South African sporting legend, follows the
ground-breaking decision by Kaizer Chiefs to embrace another sporting code and
the fast bowler joins numerous other sporting celebrities for this event, which
will see the country’s leading provincial unions battle it out with Kaizer
Chiefs and other privately owned teams.
The
winning team will earn R1 million in prize money, another first in South
African Sevens rugby.
Ntini,
who played rugby with Kaizer Chiefs coach and former Springbok midfielder,
Gcobani Bobo, at Dale College, jumped at the opportunity to join the team.
“We
all know Chiefs to be a famous soccer team, but when I heard about them wanting
to diversify and become involved in another great South African sporting code
namely rugby, I became excited about the possibilities it can bring.”
As
a kid, Ntini was inspired by Chiefs greats like Ace Khuse and Doctor Khumalo
and now gets the opportunity to be involved with the brand.
“Growing
up and watching them, they sparked the desire to play sport, so it would be
great to be associated with one of my favourite teams of all time. Also, I am a
workaholic and I told Gcobani that he will see me right in front, working hard
for the team and doing my job,” Ntini said.
“This
could open doors and Sevens rugby might never be the same. This move by Chiefs
must be applauded and I am very keen to get involved.”
Kaizer
Chiefs Kaizer Chiefs Marketing Director had the following to say, "We are
very excited because Makhaya is part of the Amakhosi Family, he has been a
staunch Kaizer Chiefs supporter for a long time now and we are very excited
that our Team will be in his hands along with the rest of the Technical Team. We welcome him on board and look forward to
working with a staunch Khosi4Life, together we are looking forward to
Reclaiming the Glory!"
The team will be captained by former Springbok
winger Breyton Paulse and will include five-test try scorer, Jongi Nokwe.
Tournament
promoter Willem Strauss welcomed the news of Ntini’s involvement.
“It
is clear that Kaizer Chiefs have tremendous support amongst a vast variety of
South Africans and their involvement in Sevens will bring more people into
contact with the sporting code, which of course will become an Olympic sport in
2016. Makhaya is a true sporting icon.”
Tickets
for the event are available at Computicket and Strauss predicts Outeniqua Park
to be a popular destination on the weekend.
