5-YR BAN FOR INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

MBABANE – They are cracking the whip!

The Eswatini Schools Sports Association (ESSA) has declared it will impose a five-year ban on any school discovered to be using individuals who are not bona fide pupils in the ongoing school competitions across the country.

ESSA President Zakhele Myeni was responding to claims made by a pupil from a school in the Lubombo Region. The pupil alleged that three schools, known to this publication, are fielding non-pupils during ball games.

In a WhatsApp message sent to this publication’s Sports Desk, the pupil asserted that these schools were denying genuine pupils the opportunity to showcase their various talents.

The pupil raised concerns about unfair practices in sports selection within some schools, particularly regarding ball games and other sporting disciplines.

disappointment

“I am a concerned pupil writing to express my disappointment regarding how players are selected for ball games and other sports activities in some schools in the region,” the pupil wrote.

The pupil revealed that it has become common practice for some schools to select individuals who are not enrolled pupils, including some who participate in zonal leagues.

“They come after school for training, yet they are chosen to represent the schools in sports.

This impacts the performance of the school team as well as the academic results for the schools,” the pupil stated.

The pupil further disclosed that such actions were discouraging them from participating in sports and highlighted the injustice to other schools that only use enrolled pupils in games.

“Many learners, who are committed to both education and sports, are overlooked. We believe that selection should be fair and based not only on talent, but also on discipline and academic effort,” the pupil added.

The ESSA president stated that he was yet to liaise with the regional branches to verify the allegations, which he described as contrary to the principles of fair play.

stressed

He stressed that head teachers should be actively involved, and sports teachers must act with integrity, ensuring pupils benefit from the sports fees they pay.

“This is not right because, as ESSA, our mandate is to identify, nurture and develop talent at a young age.

“In school games, it’s all about fair play, and winning is secondary; that is why we don’t give cash prizes, but equipment,” Myeni said.

He confirmed that should any school be found to have used non-pupils in games, that institution will face a five-year ban from all sporting activities.

“This would then deprive the pupils of the chance to participate in school sports for a period of five years. We urge schools to refrain from this practice,” he added.

dismissed

Meanwhile, one of the head teachers from the accused schools dismissed the claims as mere allegations arising from his school’s improved performance in games.

“I am fortunate to be actively involved with our games; as a sportsperson myself, I even coach the school teams.

“I have never seen someone who is not a pupil here playing.

“These are simply allegations,” the head teacher said.

He suggested that such allegations stem from the fact that his school was previously considered a joke and an easy opponent in the region before his arrival.

He further revealed that he had changed that by introducing strategies to improve the school both academically and in sports.

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