The Gauteng Junior NBA Basketball Tournament, held this weekend at the Klipspruit Sports Complex in Soweto, was marked by happiness, fun, fashion, and fitness. Bontle Mokwatle, a rising local basketball star who took home the tournament’s most valuable player award, was one of the big winners at the weekend.
“I have been playing basketball for one and a half years and it is fun,” says a jovial Mokwatle, who won the award in a sporting showpiece hosted by the City’s Sport and Recreation Directorate.
Mokwatle attributes her success in the tournament to her unflinching determination and consistency in training.
“When I stepped onto the court, I was nervous but got better during the game,” she says.
Mandla Mdlalose, the Deputy Director for Sport and Recreation, says the Gauteng Jr. NBA basketball finals were breathtaking.
“There is visible progress in our basketball development programme and this makes me proud,” Mdlalose adds.
He says the Soweto Spurs from the Central Western Jabavu Basketball Club made the City proud with both male and female teams reaching the finals.
Although the Joburg Nets won 40-14 against the Soweto Spurs, I am pleased with my two teams,” says Coach Kgosietsile Tsele, who is pursuing a career as a professional basketball coach.
“Soweto children are starting to dress like basketball stars and spend a lot of time playing the sport; they really love this game,” says Tsele.
As an enabler of grassroots sports development in Johannesburg, the City is pleased recreation facilities in Soweto are being used optimally.
“Our sporting facilities are super busy to the extent that I often have to move events from one facility to the other to support as many local clubs as possible,” says Mdlalose, urging locals interested in sport to get in touch with his office.
Follow the City of Johannesburg on social media for similar updates: Twitter (@CityofJoburgZA), Facebook (City of Joburg), and Instagram (@CityofJoburg).
The Gauteng Junior NBA Basketball Tournament, held this weekend at the Klipspruit Sports Complex in Soweto, was marked by happiness, fun, fashion, and fitness.
Bontle Mokwatle, a rising local basketball star who took home the tournament’s most valuable player award, was one of the big winners at the weekend.
“I have been playing basketball for one and a half years and it is fun,” says a jovial Mokwatle, who won the award in a sporting showpiece hosted by the City’s Sport and Recreation Directorate.
Mokwatle attributes her success in the tournament to her unflinching determination and consistency in training.
“When I stepped onto the court, I was nervous but got better during the game,” she says.
Mandla Mdlalose, the Deputy Director for Sport and Recreation, says the Gauteng Jr. NBA basketball finals were breathtaking.
“There is visible progress in our basketball development programme and this makes me proud,” Mdlalose adds.
He says the Soweto Spurs from the Central Western Jabavu Basketball Club made the City proud with both male and female teams reaching the finals.
Although the Joburg Nets won 40-14 against the Soweto Spurs, I am pleased with my two teams,” says Coach Kgosietsile Tsele, who is pursuing a career as a professional basketball coach.
“Soweto children are starting to dress like basketball stars and spend a lot of time playing the sport; they really love this game,” says Tsele.
As an enabler of grassroots sports development in Johannesburg, the City is pleased recreation facilities in Soweto are being used optimally.
“Our sporting facilities are super busy to the extent that I often have to move events from one facility to the other to support as many local clubs as possible,” says Mdlalose, urging locals interested in sport to get in touch with his office.
Follow the City of Johannesburg on social media for similar updates: Twitter (@CityofJoburgZA), Facebook (City of Joburg), and Instagram (@CityofJoburg).
18/10/2022