DREAM FINALLY COMES TRUE FOR 14 UNDER 12 FOOTBALLERS AS THEY JET OFF TO POLAND

Fourteen Under 12 footballers from Sinamuva Public Primary School from Imbali township, near Pietermaritzburg, will be boarding an airplane bound for Warsaw, Poland on Tuesday night with the experience of a lifetime lying ahead of them.  They will be representing South Africa, together with 39 other countries in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals from 7 – 9 September.

 

But the football will only be part of the experience. For all of the boys from Sinamuva it will be the first time they will be leaving the country and the first time they will be flying. They are going to be exposed to educational and life skill learning opportunities aplenty and that is in keeping with the objectives of the sponsors, Danone, who believe the Danone Nations Cup is not just about football, it is also a unique life experience. Through the four day event, the kids will share and meet each others thanks to many activities organised in parallel to the tournament

 

Sinamuva’s road to Warsaw began back in March when they played in the preliminary rounds of the competition. They became KwaZulu-Natal champions in April and went on to beat Gauteng’s Sonqoba Primary in June to take the national title.

 

Sinamuva have big boots to fill. South Africa remain the only nation to have taken the title at the World Finals three times – in 2003, 2007 and 2009.

 

The initial rounds of the competition will be played at the Osir Bemowo complex in North Warsaw, with the games on the final day taking place at the fabulous National Stadium, specially built for the recent Euro 2012 tournament and the venue for the opening ceremony and six matches in that competition.

 

The draw for the pool stages has been announced and South Africa is grouped with the teams from Spain, Turkey, Switzerland and Ivory Coast. It’s the Ivorians’ first appearance in the World Finals and it’s going to be great to extend a great African rivalry between the nations to this level.

 

Spain won the tournament back in 2004 and are likely to be Sinamuva’s sternest opposition in the opening rounds. Both Turkey and Switzerland have made it through to the final of the World competition twice in the past. Turkey were runners-up in 2000 and 2005, while Switzerland came second in 2006 and 2009.

 

ASANDA MKIELE LOOKS FORWARD TO POLAND AND THE DANONE NATIONAL CUP WORLD FINALS

Football has already taken 11-year old Asanda Mkiele to places he has never been before, and it’s going to get even better.  Asanda is a member of the Sinamuva Public Primary School football team that was crowned the Danone Nations Cup South Africa champions in June and the reward is a trip to Warsaw, Poland to participate in the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals, along with 39 other countries.

When Sinamuva Public Primary, from Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal won the Danone Nations Cup KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Final, they qualified to play in the National Finals in Johannesburg and for Asanda, like most of his team mates, that was the first time he had been out of Imbali.

“I was really scared. I was leaving home for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect from the other kids we would be playing against, and from the place itself,” he said.

Asanda is a centre-back who describes himself as being able to head the ball well and who is strong in defence and good at distributing and clearing the ball.

He was born into a family of four and lives with his grandmother, Thandazo Mkiele, who is a pensioner. His mother died two years ago and his father left immediately afterwards and they haven’t seen him since.

Asanda has dreams of becoming a doctor or a social worker one day and of making a difference in his community. “My grandmother motivates me,” he said. “She is very strong and has always told me to persevere, no matter how hard things are.”

Sinamuva Public Primary Schools’ journey in the Danone Nations Cup so far has not been easy, but it has been a dream come true, says Asanda. “Our facilities are not good and the opposition in the district and provincial playoffs were tough.  But hard work and determination saw us through.  What this has taught me is that dreams are never out of reach and that football can unite kids. I am proud of myself and my team mates.”

Asanda says that just winning this tournament has put his school on the map and he has been impressed with the support they have received from the local Department of Education and Department of Sport.  “Everyone is helping us prepare as best as possible.  I have never travelled anywhere far from Imbali. Football took us to Jo’burg, and now we are going to Poland. I can’t wait,” he said.

Danone Nations Cup South Africa ambassador, Neil Tovey, will be in Jo’burg to talk to the kids before they leave.  “My message to them will be to enjoy every moment and just go out there and do your best.  It is not about winning, but about learning and I can bet these kids will pick up some valuable football tips from other countries.”

Here are some pictures from last year Danone Nations Cup World Finals Farewell.

 

YOUNG STUDENT EARNS A TRIP AS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS HIS DREAM OF PLAYING FOOTBALL IN RUSSIA

Sanele Buthelezi is a midfielder-come-striker who is confident with the ball at his feet, who puts in clever runs, and who finishes off the chances that come his way.

And now he is going to get the opportunity to show off those skills on a world stage as part of the Sinamuva Public Primary School football team that was crowned the Danone Nations Cup South Africa champions in June after a tough four months of qualifications.

The team’s reward is a trip to Warsaw, Poland in September to participate in the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals, along with 39 other countries.

Sanele hails from Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg, and he started playing football back in 2005 when he was six years old.

In grade 2 he made his school’s athletics team and even represented the KwaZulu-Natal province. After those national championships he asked the football coach, Mr Khoane, if he could train with the team as the athletics season was over and before long he joined the team permanently.

Sanele sees Mamelodi Sundowns’ Teko Modise as a player he looks up to. “He plays my style of football and, coincidentally I wore his jersey number (8) at the Danone National Finals,” he said.

A person who has inspired Sanele is his maths teacher Ms Mamthi. “She always advises us to work hard, to be ambitious and have self-discipline,” he said

Sanele hopes to study mechanical engineering one day, and says that besides football, he also loves writing and dreams of being one of South Africa’s best-known writers in the future.

“My biggest dream, however, is of building a decent house for my family because we currently live in one bedroom shack. If I do pursue my football career I would love to play in Russia and earn enough to do that.”

“My mom, Nozipho Buthelezi works as a cashier at a local supermarket and she does her best to support me and my four siblings,” she is my inspiration and motivation.”

Sanele says the Provincials Finals were the hardest stage of the Danone Nations Cup for his team.

“I think teamwork pulled us through the preliminary rounds of the provincial finals. We struggled in our first two games and in the final we got the equalising goal in the last minute and went on to win 2-1 on penalties.”

“Playing in the Danone Cup National Finals has given me more confidence. I have learned that I can believe in my dreams. The tournament taught me to be more motivated in life.”

“Winning the National Finals and getting visit from Neil Tovey, who coached us at the school were experiences I will never forget.”

“This has brought great recognition to our school,” he said. “I can’t wait to get on the plane for Poland.”

YOUNG STUDENT EARNS A TRIP TO POLAND AS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS HIS DREAM OF PLAYING FOOTBALL IN RUSSIA

Sanele Buthelezi is a midfielder-come-striker who is confident with the ball at his feet, who puts in clever runs, and who finishes off the chances that come his way.

And now he is going to get the opportunity to show off those skills on a world stage as part of the Sinamuva Public Primary School football team that was crowned the Danone Nations Cup South Africa champions in June after a tough four months of qualifications.

The team’s reward is a trip to Warsaw, Poland in September to participate in the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals, along with 39 other countries.

Sanele hails from Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg, and he started playing football back in 2005 when he was six years old.

In grade 2 he made his school’s athletics team and even represented the KwaZulu-Natal province. After those national championships he asked the football coach, Mr Khoane, if he could train with the team as the athletics season was over and before long he joined the team permanently.

Sanele sees Mamelodi Sundowns’ Teko Modise as a player he looks up to. “He plays my style of football and, coincidentally I wore his jersey number (8) at the Danone National Finals,” he said.

A person who has inspired Sanele is his maths teacher Ms Mamthi. “She always advises us to work hard, to be ambitious and have self-discipline,” he said

Sanele hopes to study mechanical engineering one day, and says that besides football, he also loves writing and dreams of being one of South Africa’s best-known writers in the future.

“My biggest dream, however, is of building a decent house for my family because we currently live in one bedroom shack. If I do pursue my football career I would love to play in Russia and earn enough to do that.”

“My mom, Nozipho Buthelezi works as a cashier at a local supermarket and she does her best to support me and my four siblings,” she is my inspiration and motivation.”

Sanele says the Provincials Finals were the hardest stage of the Danone Nations Cup for his team.

“I think teamwork pulled us through the preliminary rounds of the provincial finals. We struggled in our first two games and in the final we got the equalising goal in the last minute and went on to win 2-1 on penalties.”

“Playing in the Danone Cup National Finals has given me more confidence. I have learned that I can believe in my dreams. The tournament taught me to be more motivated in life.”

“Winning the National Finals and getting visit from Neil Tovey, who coached us at the school were experiences I will never forget.”

“This has brought great recognition to our school,” he said. “I can’t wait to get on the plane for Poland.”

A SINAMUVA PLAYER LEARNS THAT DREAMS CAN COME TRUE AFTER HE HELPED THE SCHOOL WIN A TRIP TO POLAND

Wandile Ncqobo is just 12 years old, and he is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Wandile, from Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, is a central defender and one of the key players in the Sinamuva Public Primary School football team that was crowned the Danone Nations Cup South Africa champions in June after a tough four months of qualifications.

The team’s reward is a trip to Warsaw, Poland in September to participate in the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals, along with 39 other countries.

Wandile is part of a family of three. His single mother is unemployed and he has a 20 year old sister, Nonthutuko, who is currently at University of KZN, and an 18 year old brother who has a learning disability and attends at a local special school. They have recently moved from a shack to a RDP provided by the department of social welfare.

Wandile began playing soccer. Along with other township kids, at the age of five or six, using bricks as goal posts and a ball made of rolled-up shopping bags.

He says that making it through to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals has helped him believe that dreams come true. His ultimate dream is to study Electric Engineering. “I would like to help my community whenever the power is down. We struggle a lot, especially in winter time like now,” he says. “I would like to one day build a bigger house for my mother, with better facilities.”

Wandile believes his pace and his height are his strongest qualities on the football field. It is discipline, commitment and hard work that makes a good footballer, he says.

More about Ncqobo:

FAVOURITE SOCCER TEAM: Manchester United.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2012 DANONE NATIONS TOURNAMENT: Beating the 2010 National Champions Sinenzuzo Primary school in the regional playoffs. It felt good because they had won the tournament before and that gave us confidence.
WHAT YOU LEARNT FROM/DURING THE TOURNAMENT: The coaching clinic with Neil Tovey was by far my best moment. I learned that team work plays a major role in the success of the team. 
THE TRIP TO POLAND: I look forward to being on an aeroplane for the first time and to seeing Zenedine Zidane. Hopefully he will play with us like Neil Tovey did, all I want is to shake his hand and maybe have a picture taken with him.

DISCIPLINE, HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION IS WHAT SINAMUVA PLAYER BELIEF HELPED THE SCHOOL WIN A TRIP TO POLAND

Young 11 year old, Nkazimulo Cele, from Imbali Township in KZN, scored the winning penalty that helped his school win a trip to Warsaw, Poland in September to participate in the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals with 39 other countries.

Sinamuva Public Primary School was crowned the Danone Nations Cup South Africa champions in June after a tough four months of qualifications.  “We were told by our coach (Khoane Khonza) to never feel intimidated by the more experienced teams we faced in the qualifications, especially in the National Finals and I believe this attitude helped us become the best Under 12 team in South Africa,’ said Cele.

“This, together with hard work and determination resulted in me being the first person in my family to travel on a plane and go overseas,” said an excited Cele.

Cele only started playing football two years ago.  ‘Athletics was my favourite sport and in 2010 my coach could not accompany me to an event and sent our football coach with me instead.  He asked me if I would be interested in playing football and since then I have developed a strong passion for football.”

Life is not easy for Cele, who lives with his grandmother and sister as his mother is a chef in the Eastern Cape and only comes home once every couple of months.  Sport is what keeps him active and healthy, but he realises that education is key if he wants to become a South Africa leader in the future.

“My sister finished school last year and is working at a local store selling paraffin because there is no money for college.  I can see she is not happy and that is why I am going to do well at school and make sure I go to university and get a degree.  I will then help her to achieve her goals,” said Cele, who has a maturity beyond his years and excels in maths and English.

Coach Khonza sees Cele as a key player in the team due to his hard work on the field, his ability to cover a big area on the field and his eye for goals.

More about Cele:

FAVOURITE SOCCER TEAM: Orlando Pirates FC.
FAVOURITE SOCCER PLAYER: Lucas Podolski (Germany)
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2012 DANONE NATIONS CUP TOURNAMENT:

• Scoring the winning penalty against Sonqoba Primary School (Gauteng)
• The trip to Johannesburg to participate in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals

WHAT HE LEARNT FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE DANONE NATIONS CUP:

·         Anything is possible

TRIP TO POLAND:

·         There are 40 other nations going to be participating and he hopes to see someone waving a South African flag and following his team.

CAPTAIN TELLS OF ROAD TO THE DANONE NATIONS CUP WORLD FOOTBALL FINAL

It was a dream that almost did not come true for young Mthunzi Dlamini, who will captain the Sinamuva under-12 football team in Poland in September when they compete in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals.

“At 8 years old my class teacher, Mr Khoane Khonza, asked me to join Tastic FC, a local amateur football club in Imbali Township near Pietermaritzburg which he had just started.  I had never played the game before so my first day was terrible.  I didn’t understand the game and was embarrassed in front of the other players so a couple of days later I quit,” said Dlamini.

But what Khonza saw that day was enough for him to realise that this youngster had ball skills that could result in him being a fine footballer.  “Fortunately Mr Khonza didn’t give up on me and two months later he started a school football team and asked me to join as a goalkeeper, which I did and have never looked back.  I am now 11 years old and a midfielder and captain.  I am also able to play with both feet and am good at crosses. ” 

Dlamini has lived with his aunt, Sibongile Shelembe, and cousin since 6 years old.  His dream is to be a pilot one day so for him the plane trip to Poland is as important to him as the football.  “My aunt has sacrificed a lot for me and I know that education is important to her so this is my focus at the moment. My class teacher, Mrs Thabisile Gabuza is my role model and she monitors my school work to make sure that I don’t fall behind.”

Coach Khonza is the youngster’s motivator.  “He always tells us to dream big and that there is more to life and we must embrace opportunities that come our way and in this case it is the Danone Nations Cup experience.”

Sinamuva Public Primary School attended a training session by ex Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs captain and Danone Nations Cup South Africa ambassador, Neil Tovey. 

The Danone Nations Cup World Final is the biggest football tournament for children between the ages of 10 and 12 in the world.  Since its inception in 2000 it has touched the lives of over 25 million people with the aim of bringing health through food and sport to millions of kids throughout the world. >From just 8 participating countries the tournament has grown to now accommodate 40.

South Africa is the only country to have won the tournament three times:  2003, 2007 and 2009. 

“Danone has built the tournament on four fundamental pillars:  fair play, openness, accessibility and passion for the game,” said Sandra Dorville, Communications Manager, Danone Southern Africa.  “Through the Danone Nations Cup we promote healthy habits and encourage the youth to believe in their dreams.” 

FIRST TIME DANONE NATIONS CUP PARTICIPANTS BECOME PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS

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Keidebees Primary School from the Siyanda Region were crowned the Northern Cape Danone Nations Cup football Provincial champions after beating Kareeville Primary School from Pixley Ka Seme Region 3 – 2 on penalties at the Pabalelo Stadium in Upington last weekend.

This is an excellent achievement for a school that has been following the tournament from the side lines for a number of years not being in a position to participate due to no facilities.  “We never had a football field or kit so could never participate,” said Keidebees Primary School coach, Albert Schalkwyk.  “This year we made an arrangement with the nearby football club, Upington United, for the use of their fields on weekends.  During the week we train on a piece of ground behind the classrooms.”

Schalkwyk singled out 11 year-old team captain, Rolan Issack, as key to the team’s success.  Issack led by example and scoring five goals on the day.  “We have only been playing football for a couple of months and we needed a captain so I asked the team to select one and the choice was Rolan. One of the key reasons for entering the Danone Nations Cup was to give the youngsters match practise and get their confidence up, never did I image we would win,” said an excited Schalkwyk.  .  “Now we are on our way to Gauteng to play in the National Finals which is another first.  Never has any member of the team, or myself for that matter, travelled outside our Region.”

But Schalkwyk admitted his team did not have an easy ride.  "The standard of football was high and the youngsters had to concentrate hard and play their hearts out.  The final went to penalties which we are not used to, but we won in the end and can celebrate – for now.  Next week we start preparing for the National Finals so I will have to step up the training schedule.”

No school from the Northern Cape has won through to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals. Robanyane Primary School represented the Province in the 2011 National Finals finishing in 8^th position.

Keidebees will join Chakaza Primary School (Mpumalanga), Kgwahlele Primary (Limpopo), Atamela Primary (North West),  Bochabela Primary(Free State) and Sinamuva Primary (KZN) in the National Finals.  There are three Provincial Finals still to take place after which all 9 winners will compete to represent South Africa at the World Finals in Warsaw, Poland between 6 – 9 September. 

RESULTS – NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL FINALS

POOL A

 Keidebees Primary School (Siyanda Region)

Moholeng Primary School (Dr John Taole Region)

Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School (Namaqualand Region)

Kareeville Primary School (Pixley Ka Seme Region)

Kim-Kgolo Primary School (Francis Baard Region)

RESULTS

Keidebees Primary School 1 vs Moholeng Primary School 0  

Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School 1 vs Kareeville Primary School 0

Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0 vs Keidebees Primary School 2

Moholeng Primary School 1 vs Dr Izak Van Niekerk Primary School 0

Kareeville Primary School 3 vs Kim-Kgolo Primary School 4

Keidebees Primary School 2 vs Dr Izak Van Niekerk 0

Moholeng Primry School 1 vs  Kareeville Primary School

Dr Izak Van Niekerk 1 vs Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0

Kareeville Primary School 0 (1) vs Keidebees Primary School 0 (2)

Kim-Kgolo Primary School 0 vs Moholeng Primary School 1

FINAL LOG POSITION

1^{st –} Keidebees Primary School – 10pts

2^nd – Kareeville Primary School – 7 pts

3^rd – Moholeng Primary School – 6 pts

4^th – Dr Izak Van Niekert Primary School – 6 pts

5^th – Kim-Kgolo Primary School – 0 pts

FINAL

Keidebees Primary School 0 (2) vs Kareeville Primary School 0 (0)

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.

ONE SOUTH AFRICAN PRIMARY SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM WILL BE GOING TO POLAND IN 2012!

The 2012 world final of the biggest football tournament for children between 10 and 12 years old, the Danone Nations Cup, will be held in Poland.  South Africa is the only country to have won the tournament three times, in 2003, 2007 and 2009, and will again be one of the 40 countries to compete in this prestigious event.

Organised by Danone Southern Africa and endorsed by  the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA), the Danone Nations Cup South Africa will kick-off in March and 2 500 schools are expected to register for participation in a bid to be the team to represent the country in Poland.

Danone introduced the tournament to the world back in 2000 as an international ‘human adventure’. The idea being to reach as many school children as possible with an important message which is: “to bring health through food and sport to millions of kids throughout the world”.

“Danone has built the tournament on four fundamental pillars:  fair play, openness, accessibility and passion for the game,” said Sandra Dorville, Communications Manager, Danone Southern Africa.  “Through the Danone Nations Cup we promote healthy habits and encourage the youth to believe in their dreams.” 

Every year Danone reaches over 2.5 million people through the Danone Nations Cup and since 2000 the tournament has touched 25 million people around the world. “Up until 2010 France always hosted the World Finals.  The tradition was broken in 2010 when South Africa hosted the tournament and in 2011 it went to Spain,” said Dorville.

Danone and SASFA ask all schools to register as soon as possible to participate in the 2012 tournament.  For further information contact Themba Tshabalala at SASFA’s offices:  011 567 2822.