Times Of Swaziland: 120 AT RES SIYAKHA GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL

120 AT RES SIYAKHA GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL
================================================================================
Sports Reporter on 14/02/2024 14:56:00


MHLUME – Up to 120 children, both boys and girls, participated in the day-long
 RES Siyakha 1800 grassroots festival held  at Tshaneni Sports  Ground on
Saturday.
The participants, who comprised of 90 boys and 30 girls, were imparted with the
basics of football that included dribbling, ball control, passing and shooting.
Under the guidance of qualified coaches, the participants were also grouped to
form teams that competed in small-sided games. Seemingly, the day was not enough
for the energetic and passionate children, who were seen sweating it out all in
the name of football. They were yearning for more football action, something
which brought smiles to the scores of spectators including parents and/or
guardians who came to give support to the children. Interviewed shortly after
the event, RES Siyakha Programme Mananger Sicelo Nene sounded excited about what
he termed a successful event which provided a platform for the youngsters to
express themselves.
Delighted
“We are delighted about the huge turnout for this event. It shows that people
love this exercise and I’m made to believe that even parents and guardians are
embracing it when considering the attendance. “This is a great platform for
the kids to showcase their talent and thanks to the sponsors Royal Eswatini
Sugar (RES) Corporation,” Nene said briefly. Present during the event was
Lubombo Regional Football Association (LRFA) Vice Chairman Thokozani Shongwe,
Executive Committee member, Sifiso ‘Barnes’ Dlamini, as well as EFA’s
Nene, who is also RES Siyakha Programme Manager. Others were Brave Lions coach
Sylvester Dlamini, and former Mhlume Peacemakers Coach Bongani Nxumalo, who all
formed part of the coach educators.
For the children, the RES Siyakha 1800 grassroots programme is proving to be
what the doctor has prescribed, as they seem to be enjoying every moment of the
action. Interviewed during the all-day long grassroots festival held at Tshaneni
Stadium on Saturday, most participants expressed their excitement about the
programme, saying it was providing great platform for them to nurture their
talent.