Ulwazi schools tournament could become Eastern Cape-wide league, says Ngongo

The Ulwazi schools football tournament could be expanded into a provincial league across the Eastern Cape, with organiser Luxolo September and Ngongo now discussing how to develop the initiative.

The tournament was held at Walter Sisulu University’s Bika Campus in eGcuwa this past weekend. Ngongo believes a league structure would give more students regular opportunities to play and support the long-term development of young athletes.

“We should not only have this tournament, but we should look at making this tournament a league so that it covers the entire province, and that our young athletes continue to have activities to perform every now and then. When it becomes a league, we will have a lot of improvement when it comes to the development of our young athletes.”

A provincial version would follow a similar model to the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s schools Champions League, which ends with a tournament.

Ngongo said one of the main obstacles facing school sport in South Africa was the failure of some public schools to treat sporting activities as a priority. She identified that as a particular problem in township and rural communities, where young players can lack access to regular competition and development opportunities.

The latest Ulwazi Knowledge school sports project was the second initiative staged in an area not widely recognised for sporting development. September, who is Head of TV and Director of Communications at CAF, welcomed Ngongo’s commitment to taking the competition beyond its current format.

“This cannot just be a thing of 2-3 months, which includes a few towns. The MEC is young and I have a good relationship with her, the Premier, and the Department of Education. So let’s see how we can make this into a provincial tournament.

“We are not only trying to develop better human beings and better footballers, but we are also providing skills to young administrators because there’s been a decline on that front.”

September said the ambition was not limited to identifying footballers. The organisers also want the project to help develop people capable of working in sports administration, amid what he described as a decline in those skills.

Xolilizwe Senior Secondary School from Gatyana won the tournament after beating Macibe Senior Secondary School from September.

The event involved 36 schools from eight towns across the Mnquma, Mbhashe and Ntsika Yethu municipalities. Its stated aims included promoting sport and creating opportunities for schools in the area.

The presence of professional clubs and development organisations also gave players the chance to attract attention from scouts. Representatives from Premier Soccer League sides AmaZulu FC and Milford FC attended, while Mamelodi Sundowns and Africa School of Excellence were also present.

Milford FC owner Dr Xhanti Pupuma comes from Ngqamakwe.

September said the scouting opportunities could help exceptional players move into higher levels of the game and potentially bring them to the attention of South Africa’s junior national teams.