The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Sport Administration Department and the School Engagement programme are playing host to schools participating in the Esports Competition, taking place over the next six weeks, at the Fred Crookes Sport Centre.
E-Sport is a form of competition using video games, which often takes the form of multiplayer video game competitions, either individually or as teams. The schools participating in the online event are high school learners from Overport Secondary, Bechet High School, Sparks Estate Secondary, Sastri College, Hunt Road Secondary and Durban North College.
Sport Administration Head of Department Mr Bongani Yengwa, said “This was a collaboration programme between sport administration and the school engagement programme. Initially, the programme was set to be a netball and football tournament to help develop the schools that are part of the movement. Due to COVID-19 we then had to seek other means of getting the programme to commence while waiting for the virus to die down, we then decided to go along with Esports as a pilot code and that would require very minimal contact,” he said.
The first set of matches were played online on Tuesday, 4 May 2021. Yengwa relayed that the learners had a great time playing the matches online.
DUT’s Project coordinator of the Esports Project, Mpumelelo Shangase said: “Our first day was a success. I noticed that the learners were really enjoying themselves and all the interactions that came with the tournament. The most important thing is that they were very disciplined and stuck to all the instructions given to them. The matches were played in singles, this was done in this manner because we wanted to individually familiarise them with the competition, and this was made possible by the team that I am working with, I appreciate each and every one of them,” he said.
The first set of matches results are:
Chante Kennedy Bechet High School |
0-2 | Consolate Mavambu Overport Secondary |
Amahle Carol Ndlovu Sastri College |
0-1 (ON PENALTIES) |
Anelisiwe Mqobosho Sparks Estate Secondary |
Jaelyn Peters Bechet High School |
5-4 (ON PENALTIES) |
Entle Mbadu Overport Secondary |
Arya Motichund Sastri College |
2-0 | Bulelwa Njeya Sparks Estate Secondary |
Jeany Adams Hunts Road Secondary |
0-2 (ON PENALTIES) |
Amahle Ndlovu Sastri College Player 1 |
Snehlanhla Thwala Hunts Road Secondary |
0-1 | Jeanny Adams Hunts Road Secondary Player 2 |
Today, 12 May 2021, the schools will have four participants from each participating school playing in double matches online.
Pictured: Participants from various schools battle it out during the first set of matches played online.
Waheeda Peters