Herbzer Sports Academy resumes activities
Sterkfontein – The Herbzer Sports Academy will have its first football games amid of the Covid-19 pandemic. The academy’s, based in Sterkfontein Village outside Groblersdal, has since suspended all its activities after President Cyril Ramaphosa imposed Covid-19 health and safety protocols in March 2020.
Hebzer Sports Academy accommodates dozens of youth from various villages in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM), as a means of taking young people from the streets to be actively involved in different sporting codes.
Hebzer Sports Academy founder, Herbert Radingwana said he was happy that this long-awaited moment has finally arrived.
Radingwana said he is worried that EMLM and Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) are doing nothing to improve the lives of the youth in the villages in terms of sports.
“Our district has alarming rate of substance abuse among young people and the government is doing nothing to look and curb this challenge. No proper sporting facilities are provided for young people,” he said.
However, Radingwana said he is confident that the academy will contribute immensely in changing the behaviour of young people in the villages, despite the fact that they lack proper sporting facilities.
“I am happy that this moment has finally arrived and will ensure that these young people are making the right choices instead doing nothing with their lives. This is important because sport will help to instil discipline to these young generation,” he said.
Radingwana said the academy has already organized a football match for local teams at Legolaneng Village outside Groblersdal in EMLM Ward 22 on Sunday 18 September.
“The tournament was fantastic with prizes such as trophies and medals up for grabs, everyone was happy to take part,” he said.
Radingwana indicated that the next activities of the academy will take place on 15 October with a top four football and netball tournaments to be played by local schools including Ikhutseng, Bafaladi, Moganetwa and Matsisi.
“The schools’ football tournament will take place at Ikhutseng Primary Sports Grounds in Sterkfontein Village. Winners will be rewarded with trophies, gold and silver medals,” he said.
