School Sports is the Foundation that Inspires Our Greatest Achievements

Photo Credit: On File

Our collective heritage is inspired by sports and the unity it creates in South Africa, the foundation of which is nurtured at the school level.

Lenasia, South Africa (25 September 2022) – Some of South Africa’s most prominent sports stars came from schools and communities with very little sporting infrastructure. Investing in sports development and facilities has the power to create the next generation of gold medalists, world cup winners and world record holders.

In South Africa, we pride ourselves on the incredible success of our athletes; they are world-class. Sport is very-much embedded into our culture and deeply rooted in our collective heritage. For communities like Lenasia, sport plays an integral role in uplifting children and giving them the opportunity to take part in sporting codes that could change their lives.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.” – Nelson Mandela

Speaking to Mr Naidoo, the chairperson of Lenasia School Sport, he shared insight into how the various sporting codes not only give children the chance to thrive but also to interact with other schools and learners. The big focus in Lenasia, is to get children participating in the various sporting codes available, which keeps them active and off the streets.

Interschool fixtures see the joining of thirteen primary schools and six high schools in the area. Together, they compete in athletics, chess, cricket, netball, soccer, table tennis and volleyball.

“Sport plays an integral part of education. Not every child can be a doctor or lawyer or excels academically, but sport gives them an avenue to excel in something other than academics at school.” – Mr Naidoo, Lenasia School Sports Chairperson

Within the interschool fixtures, Harmony Primary School opens its doors to all the field events for summer athletics. Children get the chance to take part in long jump, shot put, high jump and other athletic disciplines.

The summer sporting codes are about to start, and at Harmony, that means the very first cricket season. The school didn’t have cricket as an option prior to upgrades made by MiWay, but today, they have everything needed to train up a team.

Speaking to Mr Panchbhaya, who is the Head of Department for Grade 7 and managing the new cricket side at Harmony Primary School, he shared that the newly formed team is very excited about the upcoming season and that they have many spectators during practice. The school children come to watch and practice their own bowling arm alongside the official training, in the hopes of joining the team someday.

Mr Panchbhaya said that education and sport go hand-in-hand. The staff also use it as a tool to help children who may be struggling within the class environment. Giving them the responsibility on the field, gives them focus and purpose within the classroom.

The addition of the cricket facilities has made a real change within the school. The excitement is brewing and Mr Panchbhaya is looking forward to getting the new team involved in matches against the other schools.

These schooling events are the foundation of many careers. Starting at a school level nurtures the competitive spirit embodied by so many of our medalists and national teams today. Children go on from interschool events to earn their district, provincial and national colours. They get the opportunity to compete internationally and eventually become the men and women we cheer for at big events like the Olympics or sporting World Cups. To think this all starts simply by encouraging participation is a joyous thought!

The next rising star could very well come from Harmony Primary school or Lenasia. The sports facilities there are now at the best standard thanks to the investment by MiWay; the children have more opportunities to place their focus on a chosen sporting code and thrive in it.