The provincial governments of Limpopo and Mpumalanga have joined hands with the Kruger National Park and a private sponsor, to launch an imaginative schools soccer and netball tournament.

The competition will involve 16 high schools from communities along the boundaries of the world-famous wildlife sanctuary. Limpopo schools in remote areas stand to gain valuable experience and sporting know-how through their participation in the competition.

Matches between the participating schools will start this weekend, and the finals will take place on 14 August at Skukuza, in the Kruger National Park.

Speaking at the official launch, Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto congratulated the park and its private sector partners on the initiative, and announced that the winning soccer team would pocket R10 000, while the netball champions would receive R5 000.

Kruger Park Chief Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize expressed the hope that the initiative would also stimulate the spreading of the message of conservation among teenagers