SBS BOOST TO RURAL OUTREACH - ENTA

MBABANE - The Eswatini National Tennis Association (ENTA) has come out to say the continued support by SBS has cushioned their rural programme outreach.

This was said by ENTA President Derick Jele during the Swaziland Building Society (SBS) sponsorship launch in Malkerns on Thursday. The event was attended by SBS Managing Director Mbali Sibanyoni, General Manager Leonard Dlamini, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) Darius Dlomo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA), Maxwell Jele.

After SBS announced their sponsorship package to the tune of E150 000, ENTA, through the president thanked SBS for the generous support they had once again shown to tennis in Eswatini. He highlighted the relationship dated back to 1999. Jele said their tennis calendar was looking strong for both junior and senior tennis. “We look forward this year to hosting an international seniors’ tournament which will attract players from most SADC countries,” he said.

Jele also said they were spreading their outreach through junior development. “We can report that we now engage schools in all regions of the country. In my last visit to the managing director (MD), she indicated that the tennis association should include rural communities in its development plans,” he said. Jele pointed out that they were happy to report that their programmes and tennis equipment were now visible in rural areas like Kontshingila and Hluti in the Shiselweni District. “With your continued support we will expand our rural outreach. We are grateful that this relationship has continued unbroken over the years and continues with the present MD we are grateful to you and your team for keeping this relationship alive and strong,” he further said.

Jele mentioned that the association had grown in leaps and bounds. “We are proud to have a home for tennis based in Lobamba and called Swaziland Building Society Tennis Centre which has played host to many local and international tournaments,” he said.The president also highlighted that their survival had been largely dependent on the partnership with SBS. Meanwhile, EOCGA CEO Maxwell Jele congratulated ENTA for having received another sponsorship from SBS.  “We do hope the association will use the funds wisely. We are happy to note that tennis, since SBS came on board is one of the fastest growing sports in Eswatini,” he added. Also worth noting is that SBS handed gifts to Minister Bulunga, CEO Dlomo, and EOCGA and under Secretary to Sports Ministry Naniki Mnisi.

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