Students from the Leifo Iziko Combined School in Reitz, Free State, have scored a remarkable opportunity to compete internationally after being crowned champions of the Kay Motsepe Schools Netball Tournament last weekend.
The school’s Under-15 netball team emerged victorious with a 14-10 victory over Gauteng’s Bokamoso Secondary School, securing a coveted spot at the International Youth Netball Challenge in Singapore in November.
The national finals of the Kay Motsepe Schools Netball Championship took place from August 15 to 17 in Rustenburg, North West. The competition saw the participation of 36 schools representing all nine provinces, divided into two streams: Botho and Ubuntu. Lefo Iziko Combined School’s hard-fought victory in this prestigious tournament reflects their dedication and talent, making them a force to be reckoned with in youth netball.
Lefo Iziko Combined School has consistently demonstrated excellence in school sports. They are the reigning champions of the school sports competition Magnificent Wednesday and will defend their title for the third consecutive year. Their coach, Molebatsi Mofokeng, expressed pride in the team’s performance and highlighted their determination to improve on last year’s second place finish.
“We worked very hard at the district level where we secured first place,” Mofokeng said. “This year we were determined to get first place. We stayed calm and focused and kept our eyes on the prize: the trip to Singapore.
‘You see that the talent is there’
“It was something we missed last year and we told ourselves we are going to Singapore this year. This victory means a lot to us. They are young girls, but you can see that the talent is there.”
Free State Education MEC, Dr Mantlhake Julia Maboya, commended the team’s performance and stressed the importance of such initiatives in promoting the growth of women’s sports and the development of school sports. She noted that sports play a vital role in nurturing talent and encouraging healthy lifestyles among students. Maboya also stressed the need for collaboration with stakeholders to ensure fair rollout of various sporting codes in all schools.
“While we commend the girls for their brilliant achievements, we must also thank the principal of Leifo Iziko Combined School, the school management team, the school board, the coach and the entire Reitz community for supporting these students,” MEC Maboya said. . “We need to encourage practical transformation in extracurricular activities.”
In addition to Leifo Iziko Combined School’s victory, other top-performing teams were also rewarded. Pietersburg Hoërskool from Limpopo and Monument High from Gauteng, second and third in the Botho group, received R150,000 and R100,000 respectively. Similarly, Bokamoso Secondary and Chiawelo High from Limpopo, placed second and third in the Ubuntu group, also won R150,000 and R100,000.
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