19 Sep 2013

It is a hot winter Saturday afternoon in the dusty patches of Chukumuchu, and sports lovers seem to have paid no attention to the weather as they toil under the scorching sun in pursuit of their passion.

The turnout is immense with the whole village gathered by the netball and football grounds in one mission; to heed the President’s call as they rally behind their respective teams in the constituency tournament. The Nxaunxau/Xaudom ward has been honouring the constituency tournament from inception in 2009 and the multitudes who have thronged the grounds are evidence that the three villages - Nxaunxau, Chukumuchu and Tsodilo - are so into this.

Not only has the youth come to bear witness to the beautiful game of football by the sidelines, but all the teams are confidently flaunting a youthful and bold squad to conquer the war. It is an action-packed double header, as Chukumuchu United in red take on City Pillars in white for the first encounter, then follows Shining Stars also in red against Mountain Comers donning black and white.

No one wants to be left behind as the girls have attracted a handful by the netball grounds as Tsodilo United take on hosts Chukumuchu United then Tsodilo United are back again against Nxaunxau’s Shining Girls. The competitions are treated with high regard as everyone wants to throw in some form of contribution with the elders preparing meals for the teams while others have volunteered their time to provide water for the players.

Women clad in Herero attire do not want to miss out on action as they bring stools with their babies on their backs and all roads leading to the grounds. The Nxaunxau/Xaudom ward chairperson, Veyora Gabogolelwe, says the games are serving a huge purpose as the youth participate in the competitions in large numbers. However,  he notes that the public initially did not understand the essence of the sporting activities because they would come to the grounds with alcohol which he says is no longer happening after the committee addressed the public on the purpose of the constituency tournaments. He further highlights that the games serve as entertainment in that all villagers gather at the grounds on weekends to watch sports.

“The elders respect the tournament very much because it gets their children off the street away from social ills and when one looks around realises that every generation is represented here,” he notes. Gabogolelwe says some of their teams have gone as far as ward qualifiers in Shakawe which he reckons as an indication of an impressive performance. He informs that the funds they get from the prize money has helped the teams buy attire and equipment, adding that when the competitions started they struggled with funds.

As for the 28-year-old Molebatsi Masike, the constituency tournament has brought good to his village, Nxaunxau, since it has helped them run away from social ills. “There used to be high prevalence rate of drug abuse in my home village and when this competition started we used the opportunity as youth to do something good in society,” he notes. He highlights that instead of wasting time at bars indulging in substance abuse, they use that it to train every afternoon. The Shining Stars captain indicates that the tournaments are an eye opener as they are able to organise friendly tournaments of their own. The team captain says partaking in the competitions also helps him stay fit and do something he is passionate about. ENDS