The Durban University of Technology School Engagement Sports tournaments took place at Hoy Park Baseball & Recreational Sports Complex on last weekend, Saturday, 14 May 2022 and Sunday, 15 May 2022.
The match was between the DUT feeder schools, namely, Sastri College, Overport Secondary School, Bechet High School, Hunt Road Secondary School, Durban Girls High and Sparks Estate Secondary School.
There were several games that were played including boys’ soccer, ladies’ soccer, athletics and netball. It was a very interesting tournament, where the learners showcased their sport talents. The semi-finals were played on Saturday, 14 May 2022 where all teams participated and they were finished on Sunday morning, 15 May 2022.
During the day, Sunday, 15 May 2022, the finals commenced where Bechet High School boys’ soccer team played against Overport Secondary School. It was a very tough game, no one wanted to back down but as we all know that there will never be two bulls in one kraal, so Bechet High School won by 1-0. It was really mesmerizing to see females playing soccer, since soccer is normally seen as a male sport in our communities. Sparks Estate Secondary school ladies played against Durban Girls High. The Sparks Estate Secondary ladies won by 3-2.
In another tough game, the Durban Girls High netball team played against Hunt Road Secondary School. Both teams gave the game great effort, energy, commitment, and the behaviour towards the game. The team from Durban Girls Secondary ended up taking the lead by 26-16.
Besides the sport tournaments, the DUT School Engagement Project also offers the educational vision, uplift education, give learners exposure, find talents, and provides job opportunities to DUT students since they are given chances to be tutors in these schools. Students are taught of the principles of ubuntu, punctuality and commitment. Using a values-based approach, learners at school and university are offered the opportunity to become leaders and change makers, which in turn meets a crucial need in South Africa today.
“For the past two years we were unable to participate in sports due to the eruption of COVID-19, we only participated in E-Sport last year. So, DUT is doing a very great thing for giving this great opportunity to participate in different sports games, we really appreciate to be part of this sports tournament,” said Ms Sonali Bagwandeen of Sastri College.
A learner from Durban Girls Secondary, Blessing Losuku expressed her appreciation to DUT for hosting the sports tournament.
“Firstly, we really appreciate DUT for giving us this great opportunity. It encourages us as learners to participate in sports. In sports this is where we showcase our talents’ and we learn a lot of things including discipline and commitment. Just to add DUT does not only offer sport tournaments to schools there is lot of support that we get from DUT. Some schools don’t have sport fields so participating in this tournament is something to be celebrated,” added Losuku.
Giving a vote of thanks, Berenice de La Croix, Project Manager of the DUT School Engagement Project said:” I’m grateful to the DUT Sports Department for collaborating with us to make this sports tournament a huge success. Our kids need support for health and wellbeing, and sport also provides an opportunity to develop life skills and put our project values into practice, namely Integrity, Ubuntu, Punctuality, Commitment and Reliability.
Pictured: Participants of the netball tournament.
Nomvelo Zulu
