IT’S TIME FOR 2012 SANLAM KAY MOTSEPE SCHOOLS CUP GAMES TO BEGIN

This year more than 2 000 schools countrywide will compete for their share of the R3.4 million prize money of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup tournament.

Registration came to a close on 31 March and games have already commenced within all 52 South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) regions.

In the Brakpan region, 10 Schools will compete in a league format on 11 April and the winning school will go through to the play-offs to determine the final eight teams that will compete in the Gauteng Provincial Finals.

Reigning cluster champions, Geluksdal Secondary School, will be in action again this year and will be hoping that 2012 will be their year as the school has never progressed past the Inter District Level.

Forth time Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup contender, Tsakane Secondary School, are also hoping to win money for their school, but must first outplay the champions. “We haven’t been lucky in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup in the past. However, I believe we stand a good chance of getting to the National Finals this year as I have a skilled and well prepared team.  I have seven players who were part of the team last year and will play a key motivational role this time around,” says Tsakane’s coach, Solly Maulwane.

Mr Frank Louw, Sanlam Sponsorship manager believes this initiative is an opportunity schools should embrace: “Sanlam understands the value of development and the importance of realising what one hopes for. We believe that the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup creates opportunities that have a positive impact on the youth and also provides exposure to scouts for these talented young footballers. Importantly, the tournament also contributes to enhanced learning through improved educational facilities for the benefit of the rest of pupils in the winning schools and the broader communities around them.”

Participating teams:

Brakpan High School , Buhlebemfundo Secondary School , Dalpark Secondary School, Geluksdal Secondary School, JE Malepe Secondary School, Langaville Secondary School (Extension 7), Mamellong Secondary School, Reshogofaditswe Secondary School, Tholulwazi  Secondary School and Tsakane Secondary School.

FIXTURE 11 April 2012
GAME	FIXTURES	VENUES
1	Brakpan High School VS Dalpark Secondary School	Brakpan High Sports Grounds
2	Geluksdal High School VS Mamellong Secondary School	Geluksdal High Sports Grounds
FIXTURE 13 April 2012
3	Buhlebemfundo Secondary School  vs WG1		Buhlebemfundo Secondary School Soccer Field
4	Langaville Secondary School vs Tholulwazi Secondary School		Langaville Secondary Sports Grounds
5	JE Malepe Secondary School vs WG2		Mamellong Sports Ground
6	Reshogofaditswe Secondary School vs  Tsakane High School		Malandela Sports Ground
FIXTURE 16 April 2012
7	WG 3  vs WG 4		Malandela Sports Ground
8	WG 5  vs WG 6		Mamellong Sports Ground
FIXTURE 20 April 2012
9	WG 7 vs WG 8		Malandela Sports Ground

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup is the biggest high school tournament in South Africa for under 19  with the national winning school seizing R1 million runners-up R700 000, third prize R500 000 and the school finishing in fourth place receives R400 000. This prize money excludes the R100 000 that each provincial winner receives. Prize money is not handed over to schools in cash but is spent on legacy projects identified by each school.

This is an initiative co-funded by Sanlam, the Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust and the Motsepe Family Foundation and is open to all high schools including rural, public, private and independent schools across the country.

BIGGEST FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD FOR 10 – 12 YEAR OLDS

For the second successive year Kgwahlele Primary School from the Waterberg District were crowned the Limpopo Danone Nations Cup Provincial champions after beating Dorothy Langa Primary School 1 – 0 in a thrilling Final.  The tournament took place at the Westernberg stadium in Polokwane with five Regional winners competing.  Kgwahlele will now represent Limpopo in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals taking place in Gauteng in June.

”We are more than ready for the Nationals,” said Kgwahele team manager Lesaba Kekana. ”I have a really motivated team due to the massive support from our school staff members and our District Sports Department, who sponsor us by supplying balls for training.”

Kgwahlele Primary School’s 12 year old striker, Jafta Mashabane, scored the winning goal: ”I am very grateful to Danone for giving us this opportunity and I hope that when I am in Gauteng I can again score the winning goal that will take us to Poland to compete in the World Finals.”

The next Provincial Final will take place at the Clive Solomon Stadium in Bloemfontein on 5^th May 2012.

RESULTS - LIMPOPO PROVINCIAL FINALS

KGWEHLELE PRIMARY SCHOOL (Waterberg district)

MOKGABUDI PRIMARY SCHOOL (Sekhukhune district)

MASIKHWA PRIMARY SCHOOL (Vhembe district)

NWASORINI PRIMARY SCHOOL (Mopani district)

DOROTHY LANGA PRIMARY SCHOOL (Capricorn district)

Kgwehlele Primary School 2 vs Mokgabudi Primary School 0

Masikhwa Primary School 0 (0) vs Nwasorini Primary School 0 (1)

Dorothy Langa Primary School 2 vs Kgwehlele Primary School 0

Mokgabudi Primary School 3 vs Masikhwa Primary School 1

Nwasorini Primary School 0 vs Dorothy Langa Primary School 2

Kgwehlele Primary School 1 vs Masikhwa Primary School 0

Mogkabudi Primary School 0 (0) vs Nwasorini Primary School 0 (2)

Msikhwa Primary School 0 (6) vs Dorothy Langa Primary School 0 (7)

Nwasorini Primary School 0 (1) vs Kgwehlele Primary School 0 (2)

Dorothy Langa Primary School 1 vs Mogkabudi Primary School 0

FINAL LOG POSITION

1^st – Dorothy Langa Primary School – 10 pts

2^nd – Kgwehlele Primary School – 7 pts

3^rd – Mokgabudi Primary School – 4pts

4^th – Nwasorini Primary School – 3pts

5^th – Masikhwa Primary School – 2pts

FINAL

Dorothy Langa Primary School 0 vs Kgwehlele Primary School 1

FREE STATE SCHOOLS COMPETE FOR A CHANCE TO PLAY FOOTBALL IN POLAND

On 5^th May six primary schools in the Free State will battle it out for the one spot to represent the Province in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals.  The ultimate winner will represent South Africa in the football 13^th Danone Nations Cup World Finals in Poland later in the year.

The Clive Solomon Stadium will be the venue where the six competing teams will converge.  Botle-Ba-Thuto Primary School from Xhariep district will compete in the Free State Provincial finals for the first time.  The team got there after beating Mofulatshepe Primary School 9-1 in the district finals.

”I’m so happy we won and I hope I will continue scoring goals in the Provincial finals,” said Botle-Ba-Thuto striker, Bokang Moneri, who scored 4 of the 9 goals.

The Harasebei township based school has been training 2 hours a day which coach, Mr Mareko, believes is the reason the team did well:  “Our hard work paid off.  I am so proud of my boys.  We are at a disadvantage in that we do not have the necessary equipment and facilities to prepare properly so my strategy was to just focus on team work.  Getting to the Provincial finals in our first attempt at this prestigious tournament is a dream come true,” said Mareko.

Botle-Ba-Thuto Primary will have stiff competition from the likes of Lehakwe Primary School from Lejwelepupswa district, a team that is just as determined to get to the National finals.  Players to look out for include goalkeeper Kamohelo Koporoka, who is well known for his brilliant saves and great ball distribution, defender Mpho Khatlako and midfielders Kamohelo Gabelo and Lebohang Nhlakobe.

“South African football is short of goalkeepers and I believe with the experience that I am getting by playing in the Danone Nations Cup will teach me good habits while I am young which will help me as I progress through the different age groups and one day I hope to play professionally,” said Koporoka.

Fateng Sa Thuto Primary school from Thabo Mofutsanyana district will also participate in the Provincials together with a school from Fezile Dabi district and two schools from the host Region, Mangaung Metro district.

The Free State winner will join Chakaza Primary School (Mpumalanga), Sinamuva Primary School (KwaZulu-Natal), Atamela Primary School (North West) and Kgwahlele Primary School (Limpopo) all of which have already qualified for the National Finals taking place at Central Grounds, Mamelodi, Gauteng on 23 June.

Powerade gives local athlete a chance to ‘Train like an Olympian’

Eugene Strauss from Gauteng, one of the Old Mutual Two Oceans runners, won a trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games where he will ‘Train Like an Olympian’ at the Powerade Sports Academy from 5 - 10 August. 

Strauss won the once in a lifetime experience after entering the Powerade ‘Train like an Olympian’ competition at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo. It is not often that someone from the public gets a chance to experience exactly what it is like to be an Olympian. 

“This is an amazing opportunity,” said an excited Strauss who has never been to London.  “I have been an enthusiastic sportsman throughout my life, excelling in the 100m sprint, and played rugby and cricket at Club level. To get the opportunity to train with an Olympic coach as well as meet Olympic athletes is a dream come true. I will also experience the spirit, atmosphere and excitement of an Olympics and perhaps get to meet my favourite athlete, Usain Bolt.”

The 33 year old Accountant, who is married with two young children, started running marathons three years ago.  This year’s Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon was his first and he has identified the New York and London Marathons as races he would like to conquer at some stage.

The Powerade Sports Academy allows athletes a chance to meet and train with Olympic coaches and athletes, focusing on skills in five different Olympic sports including athletics, swimming, football, cycling and basketball.

The coaches will tailor make sessions using techniques from these sports to strengthen condition and help the participants become better all round Sportspeople.

The Academy will deliver experiences and learning’s in technique, fitness, team work, competition, hydration, nutrition and psychology.

Specifically, throughout the Academy the participants will be educated on hydration and how hydrating correctly with Powerade can optimize performance.  There will be both physical and psychological tests carried out throughout the experience to help put these learning’s into perspective.

“Powerade is a performance sports drink, and as such, everything we do around our sporting assets ties back to a scientific approach to hydration and exercise,” said Craig van Niekerk, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager.”

LIMPOPO HOST DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINAL

The dream of many aspiring Under12 footballers in Limpopo will become a reality on Saturday, 21 April, when they participate in the Danone Nations Cup Provincial finals taking place at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane.

From the dusty streets of Haluvhimbi village, Vukosi Makhubela will be among those chasing the Provincial title. The 11 year old aspiring footballer will captain his team, Masikhwa Primary School, this weekend with the hope of making it to the National finals. Makhubela says his dream is to get to Poland, but realises that the road is still a long one – but points out it is getting closer!

“I only started playing football two years ago and my first taste of the real game was playing in the Danone Nations Cup last year. Although we lost in the Regional finals, I carried those memorable moments with me. When our coach made me captain earlier this year my first question was ‘when are we playing the Danone Nations Cup?” said Makhubela.

  

As the majority of his team will be playing in a tournament for the first time, Coach Thomas Tshivhase believes Makhubela’s experience will help.  “Vukosi Makhubela is my key midfielder.  He is a vibrant personality with good leadership skills and has fast pace which, when all combined, will motivate the rest of the team to do well. He will play a vital role that could well put Masikhwa Primary in a winning position.”

Reigning champions, Kgwahlele Primary School from Waterberg region and 3 other teams: Nwasorini Primary School from (Mopani Region), Monyebodi Primary School (Capricorn region) and Mokgabodi Primary (Sekhukhune Region) will also be in action.

Kgwahlele finished 6^th in last year’s National finals and should they manage to beat their counterparts this weekend, this could be a chance for the school to put on a better performance.

“Reaching the Provincial means we have achieved one of our most important goals for this year,” said Kgwahlele coach, Ernest Kekana.  “We would like to make history by becoming the second team in Limpopo to reach the National finals in two consecutive years.”

Meanwhile Atamela Primary School from Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region were crowned the North West Danone Nations Cup Provincial Champions for the second successive after beating Ebetsanang Primary School  from Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati 1-0 on a thrilling encounter this past weekend at Ikageng Stadium.

“I am very happy and excited to have qualified for the National Finals again.” said Coach Jonas Morapedi. “I must compliment Tshepang Marera on the brilliant goal he scored and the commitment shown by our players.  We are now on the road back to Gauteng, where my players will also get a platform to be recognised and hopefully be scouted and be part of our country’s PSL teams.” added the proud coach.

First time participants Tlaseng Primary school which had 10 players from the PSL Platinum Stars academy could not make it to the final stage, however the team vow to put more effort in the next year’s Danone Nations  Cup preparations..

The team that will represent South Africa in the 2012 World Finals taking place in Poland later this year will be decided during the Danone Nations Cup National Finals to be held at Central Ground, Mamelodi on the 23^rd June.

RESULTS – NORTH WEST PROVINCIAL FINALS

EBETSANANG PRIMARY SCHOOL (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region)

TLASENG PRIMARY SCHOOL (Bojanala Region)

ATAMELA PRIMARY SCHOOL (Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region)

BOSUGAKOBO PRIMARY SCHOOL (Ngaka Modiri Molema Region)

Ebetsanang Primary School 1 vs Tlaseng Primary School 0

Atamela Primary School 2 vs Bosugakobo Primary Schol 0

Atamela Primary School 1 vs Ebetsanang Primary School 2

Tlaseng Primary School 2 vs Bosugakobo Primary School 0

Bosugakobo Primary School 0(3) vs Ebetsanang Primary School 0(1)

Tlaseng Primary School 0 vs Atamela Primary School 2

FINAL LOG POSITION

1^st – Ebetsanang Primary School – 7 pts

2^nd – Atamela Primary School – 6 pts

3^rd – Tlaseng Primary School – 3 pts

4^th – Bosugakobo Primary School – 1 pts

FINAL

Ebetsanang Primary School 0 vs Atamela Primary School 1

COULD THE INFLUENCE OF PSL’S PLATINUM STARS HELP SCHOOL WIN THE NORTH WEST DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINALS?

Armed with youngsters from the Premier Soccer League’s Platinum Stars development programme, and a couple of their own, Tlaseng Primary School, Danone Nations Cup first timers, could emerge as the North West Provincial champions on Saturday, 14^th April.  Games kick-off at 9am at the Ikageng Stadium in Potchefstroom.

After years of following the Danone Nations Cup, team manager, Arthur Rapoo is at last part of the action.  “The school is based in Tlaseng Village where our facilities are poor so I have been reluctant to enter the Danone Nations Cup.  But all that changed this year when Platinum Stars Football Club asked the school to accommodate their U12 and U13 players.  I immediately started a school soccer team and I entered the Danone Nations Cup.  Dreams do indeed come true!”

The team’s success to date was unexpected:  “We didn’t think that we would make it this far in our first year, but with our marvellous left back, Siyabonga Sibanyoni together with striker Rastilda Reaogela and 10 players from the Platinum Stars academy, we made it,” said Rapoo.

Tlaseng Primary school’s road to the Provincial finals started at District level with a surprise 2 – 0 win over Mogwase Primary School in the finals. “It was just unbelievable,” said Rapoo.  “Obviously we would like to win the National finals but we are taking it one step at a time.”

Tlaseng will face stiff opposition on Saturday against three experienced teams, Bosugakobo Primary School from Dinokana village in Zeerust being one of them.  “We have been competing in the Danone Nations Cup for the past six years and this is the first time we have reached the Provincial finals,” said an excited team manager, Daniel Sekgobela.  “It wasn’t an easy road.  At district level we came up against last year’s Regional champions, Ntsweletsoku Primary School on their home turf.  Then we went head to head against Zeerust Primary who has also done well in the competition in the past.  But that is history now and we will be representing Ngaka Modiri Molema Region in the Provincial finals.”

Sekgobela has identified striker, Den Phemelo, as a key member of his team.  “Den has an excellent eye for goals and he will be assisted by Kagiso Moalusi who plays in the middle of the field and is a great ball distributer.”

Sekgobela has been with his squad since the youngsters were 9 years old and has a confident team that plays well together:  “I believe that patience is a virtue and now is the time to shine.  Winning the Provincial finals will not only help the boys and the school but the community as well as this will put us on the map and people will take an interest in us.”

2011 Provincial Champions, Atamela Primary School, will also be in action on Saturday representing Dr Kenneth Kaunda region. “We didn’t do well in the National Finals last year,” said coach, Jonas Morapedi.  “But I saw the experience as a learning curve and went back to the drawing board and I believe I have built a good squad now and know we will do better.”

Morapedi believes his players are up for the job:  “Players that I believe will do well for Atamela are Madimetsa Mokete (striker) and Lebogang Montshiwa (Left wing).  Both boys have scored 5 goals each.  I also have a great defender and motivator, Tebogo Montshiwa who has the same qualities as Neil Tovey in that he performs well under pressure.”

The fourth team competing on Saturday is Ebetsanang Primary School representing the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region.

Tsotang Maine. tipped to win the Two Oceans Marathon, visits the Powerade Performance Stand

Tsotang Maine is hoping it will be a case of ‘third time lucky’ when he takes to the streets on Saturday in the Two Oceans Marathon.  Today he visited the Powerade Performance Stand at the Expo to fine tune his muscles in the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Chamber.

The 37 year old from Lesotho has a string of wins behind him including the 2005 Soweto Marathon and is vying for a first place finish on Saturday which could well place him in contention for a spot in the Lesotho Olympic team.  “There is something about the number 3,” said Maine, who finished in third place in 2011.  “Almost every race I have ever entered I have won on my third outing and I am hoping I will do the same in the Two Oceans Marathon.” 

Maine was accompanied on the Powerade Performance stand by fellow Team Toyota member, Mamorallo Tjoka who is hoping for a first place finish in the women’s race.  “I have won the Soweto Marathon 5 times, even beating the Russian twins (Elena and Lesya Nurgalieva) but I have not managed to beat them in the Two Oceans.  Last year I came third – behind both ladies,” said a hopeful Thoka.

Thoka was apprehensive about entering the Vacusport Lower body Negative Pressure Chamber:  “The device is quite intimidating but my team mates egged me on and I am glad they did as it was extremely relaxing and I can definitely feel a lightness in my legs.  I will definitely look at including sessions on this device for training purposes.”

Athletes visiting the Powerade Performance Stand at the Two Oceans Marathon can also get advice on how to tackle the race by sports scientist, Ross Tucker, however, due to a leg strain, will be back on the stand tomorrow, Friday, 6 April.

Powerade Performance Stand activities for Friday, 6 April.

Date	Time	Action
04 April 2012	10h00 - 18h00	Gustav Obermeyer will be opperating the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Chamber.
06 April 2012	09h00	Expo begins
06 April 2012	10h00	Ross Tucker Presentation
06 April 2012	11h00	Ross Tucker Presentation
06 April 2012	12h00	Ross Tucker Presentation
06 April 2012	14h00	Team Nedbank Q&A
06 April 2012	15h00	Celebrity Runners Q&A
06 April 2012	17h00	Expo ends

Mamorallo Tjoka, one of the ladies favorites from Team Toyota

Some of the Team Toyota team mates

Tsotang Maine from Team Toyota, one of the favorites to win the Mens race.

KZN SCHOOL TAKES A STEP CLOSER TO ACHIEVING A DREAM – A TRIP TO POLAND TO COMPETE IN DANONE NATIONS CUP WORLD FINALS

Sinamuva Primary School from Imbali township, Umgungundlovu Region   were crowned the KwaZulu - Natal Danone Nations Cup Provincial champions after beating Ophuzane Primary School from Vryheid  Region 2 – 1 in Durban last weekend

“We are going to Gauteng to compete in the National Finals,” said an excited Sinamuva coach, Khonza Khowane.  “The first time we played in the Danone Nations Cup was in 2008 and we managed to get to the National finals, but since then we have been knocked out in the earlier stages of the competition. This time I would like to take it a step further – qualify for the World Finals in Poland later this year.”

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Finals took place at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Pinetown last weekend. Twelve Regional winners competed with Sinamuva emerging as champions.

“Last year I decided to identify a young team that could play over a 2 year period as experience is important to win tournaments such as the Danone Nations Cup.  The players were very young last year and we were knocked out at Cluster level, but a year later and I have confident youngsters who work well together,” said Khowane.

Khowane believes a trip to Poland will give the players an experience they will never forget:  “Meeting people from other cultures, experiencing a new country, learning new skills and more about developing healthy eating habits are important for the development of my players.  This experience will give the youngsters a different perspective of life and they can have bigger dreams.”

But Khowane is well aware of the road ahead.  “We are only the second Province to host our finals and there are seven more to go. We will use the next couple of months to train and work more on our game plan.  I will arrange practise games with all the schools in the area.  Even if we do not go to Poland, just getting the youngsters out of their immediate surroundings to Gauteng is an achievement.”

Khowane singled out his captain Bayanda Mvela as a key player:  “Banyanda lead by example over the weekend scoring goals when it counted which demonstrates to me that he is level headed and doesn’t buckle under pressure. For a youngster this qualify is extremely important.”

Sinamuva Primary School has now joined Chakaza Primary School from Mpumalanga in the National finals.  North West Province is next in line and will host their Provincial finals at Ikageng Stadium Potchefstroom, 14^th April 2012.

RESULTS – KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL FINALS

POOL A

 Ndongeni Primary School (Umlazi Region)

Oqondweni Primary School (Obonjeni Region)

Masihambisane Primary School (Amajuba Region)

POOL B

Sinenzuzo Primary School (Pinetown Region)

Ophuzane Primary School (Vryheid Region)

Matimatolo Primary School (Umzinyathi Region)

POOL C

Bajabulile Primary School (Empangeni Region)

Kwa Dukuza Primary School (Ilembe Region)

Siyephu Primary School (Ugu Region)

POOL D

Luhana Primary School (Sisonke Region)

Celimfundo Primary School (Othukela Region)

Sinamuva Primary School (Umgungundlovu Region)

RESULTS

Ndongeni Primary School 9 vs Oqondweni Primary School 0   

Sinenzuzo Primary School 0 (7) vs Mhlahle Primary School 0 (8)

Bajabulile Primary School 2 vs Kwa Dukuza Primary School 0

Luhana Primary School 0 vs Celimfundo Primary School 3

Oqondweni Primary School vs Masihambisane Primary School 3

Ophuzane Primary School 2 vs  Matimatolo Primary School 0

Kwa Dukuza Primary School 1 (2) vs Siyephu Primary School 1 (3)

Celimfundo Primary School 1 vs Sinamuva Primary School  5

Masihambisane Primary School 1 (3) vs Ndongeni Primary School  1(2)

Matimatolo Primary School 0 vs Sinenzuzo Primary School 4

Siyephu Primary School 0 vs Bajabulile Primary School 4

Sinamuva Primary School 4 vs Luhana Primary School 0

SEMI - FINAL 1

Masihambisane Primary School 1 vs Sinamuva Primary School 3

SEMI - FINAL 2

Bajabulile Primary School 1(3) vs Ophuzane Primary School 1(4)

FINAL

Sinamuva Primary School 2 vs Ophuzane Primary School 1