The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Department of Sport Administration recently hosted the DUT Campus Premier League Launch at the DUT Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus.

Tumi Mgudu, Sport Officer at DUT, welcomed and thanked all the guests for attending the launch. She also encouraged students and staff to use sports as a unit of creating friends and knowing each other better.

“As DUT we are willing to compete; we are not afraid of competing worldwide. When we give you sport opportunities to showcase your talent take that opportunity with both hands. We are giving you an environment that will help you release your mind from your academic programmes, so sport will help you with your alternate performance. We thank you for showing interest in the programme that we are offering. Our door is always open, if you have ideas that you want to share with us, please do come through because jointly we want to showcase a vibrant university that partakes in sports and we also want to provide teams that are not afraid to compete at any level. As time goes by, we would like to grow as a department of sport and see more sporting codes coming our way,” said Ms Mgudu.

She further added that the aim for the launch was to unveil the team kits and introduce the team coaches and managers, as well as announce the prizes.

“As part of the DUT ENVISION2030, ‘A distinctive education, create a compelling and future-oriented living and learning environment,’ the Department of Sport Administration is bringing this initiative that will help to reveal many talents and help students and staff to find a balance between their academics and social lives,” said Ms Mgudu.

Mr Bongani Yengwa: Head of Department of Sport Administration indicated that the long-term objective for the launch was to increase interest from staff and students using sports to improve the brand and achieve social inclusion/cohesion.

“The Department of Sport Administration aims to use sports to assist students who are active to ensure increased pass rates and graduating on time. Sport participation is associated with higher grades amongst students. It also helps students to perform academically, teaches them discipline, enables them to form relationships by contributing positively to the integration of campus life,” said Yengwa.

The Department of Sport Administration is super proud to introduce the DUT Campus Premier League, an initiative that consists of eight Football and Netball teams.  Mr Zakes Sikhakhane, the Campus Premier League Project Manager said that the aim of this initiative is to have a firm, competitive and well-structured league other than residence league fixtures within the campus that the department can use as a tool for recruitment.

“The two sporting codes (Football and Netball) are the most prevalent, so the Department of Sport Administration wants to benchmark between the two and then as time progresses and the premier league is seen as a success, then add other sporting codes as per the demand on campus,” he explained.

He indicated that the buildup of the eight teams includes all DUT educational departments namely: Accounting and Informatics, Applied Sciences, Arts and Design, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Management Sciences, first years and staff members.

“To add stability, university first team players will be divided across the eight teams and used as team captains,” he said.

The Department of Sport Administration also added staff members that are part of the staff team and have presented great leadership skills within the years spent and this will also add a component of superiority on selection within the teams because these staff members are familiar with campus life.

The prize announcement for the upcoming tournaments were as follows:

Football

• First Prize to be won is R20 000,00.
• Second Prize is R10 00,00.
• Third Prize is R4 000,00.
• The Goalkeeper of the Tournament will receive R1 000,00.
• The Player of the Tournament will be awarded R2 000,00
• Top Goal Scorer will be awarded R1 500,00.
• Fair Play Award- will receive the Plague Award.
• Most Supported Team- will obtain the Plague award and R1 000, 00.

Netball

• First Prize to be won is R1000,00
• Second Prize is R5 000,00
• Third Prize is R2500,00
• Player of the Tournament will be awarded R1 000,00.
• Fair Play Award will receive the Plague Award.
• Most Supported Team- will obtain the Plague Award.

Dr Clement Moreku, DUT Dean of Students thanked all the students and staff for attending the launch. He also encouraged staff and students to take part in all sport codes that are available at the DUT Department of Sport Administration.

Pictured: Campus Premier League Launch attendees.

Sinethemba Njoko/Nomvelo Zulu