By Nangamso Mabindla
09 July2008

TOP netball talent from across the country’s nine provinces is in Buffalo City for the under-19 and under-21 National Netball Championships.

Taking place at East London’s Selborne Tennis Park, the tournament has been arranged by Netball South Africa in partnership with Buffalo City, the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, Metrorail, Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola and other sponsors.

The MEC for sport, recreation, arts and culture, Noxolo Abrahams Ntantiso, said that the tournament was about recognising up-and-coming stars. “It is also about shaping the way forward in terms of them transferring their skills to the younger generation, as schools are participating.”

She said that netball was the number one sport among women. “It is an unchallenged truth that netball has always been and will remain the number one women’s sport in South Africa. Though it is not receiving the coverage it deserves [it is] growing.”

Action on the pitches has kept spectators on the edge of their seats, while players and coaches are pleased with what the city has to offer. Dikeledi Pule, from North West province, said she was happy with the facilities at Selborne Park.

“The girls are really enjoying themselves here and the facilities are good for netball. We have not gone sightseeing yet because we told the girls to focus on playing. After the tournament is finished we will go and see everything the city has to offer,” she said.

Heeding this advice paid off for the North West team, which won their morning match. The National Netball Championships end on Saturday, 12 July, and will be followed by the announcement of the under-19 and under-21 national netball teams.