TWELVE primary schools from KwaZulu-Natal will be taking a step closer to
fulfilling a dream when they play in the Provincial Finals of the Danone
Nations Cup this coming Saturday.
The teams have already competed in gruelling qualifiers in their respective
clusters and regions. The winner on Saturday will go on to compete in the
National Finals with the ultimate winner representing South Africa in the
Danone Nations Cup World finals in London later in the year.
The Danone Nations Cup is an international competition involving U-12 teams
from around the world. Since its inception in 2000, the tournament has
touched the lives of over 15 million kids with the key message being to
follow a healthy lifestyle and to believe in their dreams. The tournament is
built on the fundamental values: enthusiasm, openness, proximity and fair
play.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Finals will be played on Saturday at the King
Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban. All KwaZulu-Natal regional winners
have already been identified and they are: Sipheni Senior Primary School –
Amajuba Region; Taylors Primary School – Umgungundlovu Region; Woodford
Primary School – Uthukela Region; Emtathe Combined Primary School –
Umzinyathi Region; Maqumbi Primary School – Ilembe Region; Uphaphazi Primary
School – Umkhanyakude Region; Enkelabantwana Full Service School – Sisonke
Region, Inkatha Primary School – Ugu Region, Imizikayipani Primary School –
Empangeni Region; Ndongeni Primary School – Umlazi Region, Ensukangihlale CP
School – Vryheid Region and Simphumelele Primary School – Pinetown Region
South Africa’s representative at the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals
were from KwaZulu-Natal. Sinamuva Primary School from Pietermaritzburg
played in the tournament in Warsaw, Poland. They have not qualified for the
provincial playoffs this year.
Emtathe Combined Primary School from Sibongile Township will be representing
the Umzinyathi region at the Provincial Finals. Their coach, Madoda
Ntshingila, says the school first played in the tournament in 2010, and in
2011 they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the provincial finals. “We
hope to do better this time,” he said. “The boys love it because they get to
travel, but it is challenging getting the kids to schools that are far
away.”
Ntshingila says the team is well prepared and they understand the importance
of training and analysing their strength and weaknesses. “We have worked
hard to reach this stage of the tournament and I would like them to go out
there and enjoy themselves. Deep down, I wish we could win and make it to
the national finals, but I will not put pressure on them. It’s about them
having fun.” He singles out Mizo Zulu, a defender and striker Kenneth Mabine as
key players.