The SuperSpar and Build It Giyani U13 netball and soccer leagues for primary schools around Giyani were launched at the Giyani Sport Centre last Friday.

In an interview with Mr André Steenkamp of Build It and Mr Peet Snyman of SuperSpar, they said that they were ploughing back into the community and wanted to help to develop young players from grassroots level.

When asked why they had decided to sponsor a sports tournament in Giyani, they said that they believed in the proverbial expression that reads “charity begins at home.” They added that the sponsorships will increase annually, depending on the financial position of their companies. 

When showing his appreciation for the sponsorship, the organiser of the tournament, Mr Solly Mavikane, described Build It and SuperSpar as "a selfless and caring father". He said it was painful to see that most businesspeople were not ploughing back into the community. He said most of the soccer stars of yesterday were now penniless and some were even taking ordinary jobs after a life of glory.

“I have come to realize that the soccer career is very short and that many have hit hard times after being in the limelight and leading a life of glamour. With education, one is secure for life and has something to fall back on when days are dark on the soccer field,” he said.

Well-known PSL referee Mr Victor Hlungwane said he was also encouraging youngsters to take education seriously "and not to rush to make a quick buck before securing their future. Education is the key that can open closed doors for a sportsman or artist. One must be able to read and understand contracts and also have somewhere to go when one's sporting career is over.” 

The Jomo Cosmos player who recently scored the important goal that led to his team's promotion to the PSL, Wiseman Maluleke, was an inspiration to the youth. “The route that soccer took is the right one that the youth could follow. Many of our players are buried paupers after glorious soccer careers, because of a lack of education. We encourage others to follow education,” said Maluleke.