Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda
NATIONAL Association of School Heads (Nash) president Arthur Maphosa has given the thumbs up to companies that have continually supported schools’ sports tournaments, saying monetary incentives are key in creating interest at grassroots level.
The schools calendar is packed with ball games competitions in the second term, but not all of the tournaments have a financial backing.
Football is one such discipline that is yet to get a reliable sponsor.
On the other hand, netball enjoys sound sponsorship, with Nash still relying on their partnership with Tanganda Tea Company, who sponsor netball through their Stella Tea brand.
The Nash boss pointed out that of all the netball tournaments, the Stella Tea contest has produced champions that have gone on to shine at international level.
The tournament has for long been the mainstay of secondary schools’ sport and for that, Maphosa said it was commendable.
“Really, we appreciate and highly commend the company for its unrivalled support to sport. What we are grateful for with regards to Tanganda Tea Company is that they have previously committed to sponsoring the tournament even in times when it is not easy on their part. Netball is one sport that is growing fast. It was rare to get crowds at netball matches but now many people are following. Thanks to support from Tanganda that we are now witnessing the growth of the sport in schools,” said Maphosa. He said through the Stella Tea netball tournament, schools that were previously docile in sport have come up.
“There were schools, particularly those in rural areas that have improved their standard of play all because of taking part in sponsored tournaments.
These schools are turning the tables and must not be a surprise when we unearth a player from rural areas to play for the national team. Sponsorship is motivation and that’s how good it can be. We are talking about development of talent and as such sponsored schools sport have the capacity to ignite interest to play sport in our pupils, of which that is the aim. Nash is grateful for this,” said Maphosa.
This year 12 schools, drawn from the country’s provinces will be battle on the court for this coveted tournament title, at a date to be announced in Harare.
Traditional netball powerhouses that often make the grade to the finals of the Stella Tea tournament include Bulawayo’s Mpopoma High School, Mabhikwa (Matabeleland North), Sikhulile High (Bulawayo) Plumtree High, Phakamani High (Matabeleland South), Pamushana High (Masvingo) and Mhangura High (Mashonaland West).
derick.khumalo