Preparations are intensifying as Thabong gears up to host the Diski99 Championship at Zuka Baloyi Stadium on November 29. Sixteen schools, from primary to secondary levelwill compete for top honors when the event returns next his absence in 2024.
This year’s championship comes as the Free State Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) completes an enhanced partnership with Net Nine Nine (Net99) for the third edition of the Diski99 tournament. The partnership reinforces a shared commitment to expanding grassroots football, encouraging youth development and building sustainable sports pathways across the province.
The renewed partnership follows a strategic meeting between DSAC Executive Council Member Ntombzanele Sifuba, Senior Department Directors Vincent Khetha and Kutlwano Tlhakudi, and Net Nine Nine’s Group Chief-of-Staff. The involvement set the tone for a broader, more impactful tournament designed to reach more communities and expand opportunities for young athletes.
Building on the success of the inaugural tournament, this edition introduces enhanced development components that focus not only on football and netball excellence, but also on leadership, discipline, mentorship and life skills.
The Championship at Zuka Baloyi Stadium provides a crucial preview of what lies ahead, a showcase of talent, community pride and ambition for young people eager to impress the talent scouts who will be in attendance.
Sifuba reaffirmed DSAC’s commitment to stakeholder partnerships that strengthen grassroots participation. A recent encounter with Head of Dept Molato Tshabalala further reinforced the department’s vision to revive school sports.
“We welcome this continued partnership with Net Nine Nine. We can use the Diski99 platform are able to providing young people with meaningful opportunities to showcase their capabilities while promoting values such as teamwork, excellence and resilience. The Diski99 tournament furthers our vision of a vibrant, inclusive sporting culture in the Free State,” said Tshabalala, who will be attending.
Net Nine Nine Chief of Staff Thipe emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to improving the community in all eight provinces.
“Net Nine Nine remains committed to investing in programs that make a tangible difference to the lives of young South Africans. This is close to my heart, it is very personal and I want to see emerging talent nurtured,” said Thipe.
“The Diski99 Championship is an important milestone, and together with the Free State DSAC, we are positioned to enhance youth development through sport.”
The partnership discussions followed shortly after the Free State successfully hosted the OR Tambo Memorial Lecture, which was held a fortnight ago as part of the OR Tambo Month commemorations. Led by Sifuba, the lecture underlined themes such as unity, service and leadership, values that are closely aligned with the Diski99 initiative.
As anticipation builds for November 29, the Diski99 Championship promises to unite communities, inspire young talent and reaffirm the power of sport as a catalyst for social change.
Football fixtures
- Teto High vs. Thotagauta Secondary
- Lebogang Secondary vs. Welcome High School
- Leseding Secondary v Letsete High School
- Nanabolela High School vs Lephola High School
Netball matches
- Majaho Primary School against Aurora Primary School
- Thabong Primary School vs Naudeville Primary School
- Tswelopele primary school against Seabo primary school
- Mantshebo Primary School vs Hlolohelo Primary School
–ChannelAfrica–
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