THE ROAD TO THE DANONE NATIONS CUP WORLD FINAL BEGINS

Will Mhlahle from Bushbuckridge represent Mpumalanga Province in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals for the third successive year?  Coach Hans Mkhondo certainly believes this is possible.

Mpumalanga is the first Province to host their finals of the Danone Nations Cup scheduled to take place at the Embalenhle Stadium in Secunda on Saturday, 17 March.  Games will kick-off at 9 am with the final scheduled at 13:05pm.

 Gert Sibanda and Botshabela regions will be represented by Imizamoyethu and Mhlahle Primary Schools respectively.  This will be the third successive year the schools will be meeting in the Provincial Finals with Mhlahle progressing through to the National Finals in 2010 and 2011.  Also competing on Saturday are Chakaza Primary (Ehlanzeni Region) and Zikhuphule Primary from Middleburg Region.

 Mkhondo believes the Danone Nations Cup tournament is a stepping stone for kids to progress with their soccer:   “I use the tournament to give my boys the experience of playing against other schools.  Going to the National Finals is the best as we see how other Provinces prepare and play which helps us back at home.  I believe the reason for our continued success is that I have developed a good development programme.”

Mkhondo explains:  “I have been Mhlahle’s football coach since 2006. I registered for the Danone Nations Cup in 2007 and we have competed every year since.  For us it is the highlight of our soccer calendar and a competition the boys love to play in.”

 Mkhondo is passionate about soccer.  To ensure he gives his team the best coaching advice possible he enrolled in SAFA’s Level 2 coaching course.  “Not only would I like my team to be the one to go to Poland, but my dream is to one day have my own football academy.  I have heard through other schools that have competed in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals that the experience is unbelievable and you learn so much about different techniques and tactics.  I would like this experience as it would help me in the years to come.”

According to Communications Manager of Danone South Africa, Sandra Dorville, “The mission of Group Danone as a company is to bring health through food to as many people as possible,” she explains. “It is of vital importance to start teaching the value of a healthy diet at a young age.”

“When we launched the tournament we wanted to promote healthy eating habits by means of having fun and leading by example. Teaching the children the value of good healthy food while involved in the tournament,” says Dorville. “We also emphasise the fundamental principles; accessibility, fairplay, sportsmanship and fun to our developing young footballers.”

The winner on Saturday will represent Mpumalanga Province in the Danone Nations Cup National Final on 23 June.  The National winner will then represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals scheduled for Poland in October

SA'S BARKERVILLE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL SET TO DAZZLE IN SPAIN

Zinedine Zidane, the ex Real Madrid player and current Ambassador of the Danone Nations Cup World Final, is a footballer the boys from Barkerville Junior Secondary School will try to emulate as they run onto the pitch of the world renowned Santiago Bernabeu Stadium next weekend when they compete in the 12^th edition of the biggest tournament in the world for kids between 10 and 12 years old.

For these boys who come from Mount Frere, a poor rural village near Mthatha, this is the beginning of an experience that will last a life time.  They are completely unfazed by the magnitude of such an occasion:  ”We don’t know much about Spain accept for the big teams from that country like Barcelona and Real Madrid, but we are looking forward to playing on the very same field that Zinedine Zidane played for so many years,” said star midfielder Asivuyise Ndzamela

“I have never seen these boys as confident and excited as they are now,” said Mrs Lwana, team manager and Grade 1 Life Skills and Maths teacher at the school. “We are going well prepared as we have had excellent coaching from the Eastern Cape Football Academy which has done wonders for the players and will just make them better players. 

“The youngster’s perspective of the world has grown immensely since winning the Danone Nations Cup,” said team head coach, Mpilo Canga.  “The spotlight is on us and we plan to make South Africans proud next week.”

Sharing the teams’ excitement will be Marvelous Nelwamundo, a grade 10 pupil from Capricorn High school in Polokwane who won the Danone, Canon Kids Reporter competition in July this year.

Marvelous will be accompanying the team to Spain, as a kid reporter documenting the teams’ progress and learning the tricks of the Media trade. The highlight of the trip for Nelwamundo however will undoubtedly be the much coveted press conference when the youngsters get to interview the legendary Zinedine Zidane.  “I love Spanish food and the culture so this trip will be really great for me, but I have to admit that getting to meet Zidane is the best part of it all.” Says an overly excited Nelwamundo.

Since its inception in 2000, the tournament has grown from 8 participating countries to now 40 and South Africa has won the event three times (2003,2007 and 2009) and to date the Danone Nations Cup has touched the lives of over 16 million children around the world. “By bringing healthy food and some good healthy fun together, children learn about life through a shared experience. And to those who get to the World Finals, it is an experience that will undoubtedly become a cherished memory,” says Sandra Dorville, Communications manager of Danone Southern Africa.

The youngsters will get to meet local football legend, Neil Tovey, who will be there to wish them well before they leave on their trip.  He will focus on telling the youngsters not to be competitive but to go out and just enjoy every game they play in.  “The Danone Nations Cup is built on very specific principles which are Humanism, Openness, Proximity and Enthusiasm.”