Mvenyane, Eastern Cape – The spirit of sportsmanship and youth empowerment was in full display this past weekend at the ZNF Annual Sports Tournament, where Abahlobo Football Club and Young Ladies Netball Club emerged as champions in soccer and netball, respectively. The tournament, held at Mvenyane Grounds, drew massive crowds and enthusiastic participation from across the region.
Now in its fifth year, the ZNF Tournament, which began in 2021, was launched by the ZNF Foundation, an initiative of the Ngejane family from KwaBaca. According to organiser Zintlanu Ngejane Dlakude, the event was born out of a desire to combat youth idleness and substance abuse in rural communities by offering a platform for positive engagement and talent development.
“We started with just 14 teams in 2021, and this year we’ve grown to 26 soccer teams and 8 netball clubs. That shows the hunger and excitement around this initiative,” said Dlakude.
This year’s competition saw teams battling it out for a share of the R50,000 prize pool, with Abahlobo FC claiming the top soccer prize of R10,000. Ma2K from Cedarville took second place and walked away with R5,000, while Dibafanas and Inkedama, who tied for fourth place, each received R2,500.
On the netball court, Young Ladies dominated the tournament to secure first place, followed by Blazers in second. In addition to prize money, participating netball teams also received full playing kits as part of the foundation’s support for women in sport.
Mawande Senteni, player-coach of Abahlobo FC, praised the tournament’s impact:
“This tournament means a lot, especially to players in rural areas. It gives us a platform to showcase our talent in a well-organised and peaceful environment—no alcohol, no conflict, just pure football.”
Msawenkosi Sitshongo, coach of the Young Ladies netball team, echoed that sentiment:
“I’m impressed with how professionally everything was organised. There’s so much raw talent in rural areas, and platforms like these are essential. I hope the tournament continues for many years.”
With its continued growth, strong community support, and commitment to youth upliftment, the ZNF Tournament is proving to be more than just a sports event—it’s a beacon of hope and opportunity for young people in the Eastern Cape.
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