By Ntokozo Magongo
Hard work and dedication pay off. Akhile Kunene, 10, is testimony to this after his sensational exploits in the Mbabane Build It Plus Under-13 championships late last year netted him an E1 000 bursary.
Kunene outclassed over 100 other players to take home the first prize, soccer boots and a Build It watch. The John Wesley pupil who plays for Dark City under Coach Ntokozo Tsela was the best among the five that were selected to win the bursary on December 10 at Prince of Wales Sports Ground during the championships.
The others who walked away with the watches and soccer boots were his team-mate Bongiswa Lukhele, Sibahle Dlamini and Sanele Vilakati for both Mbabane Swallows juniors and Lobamba Cosmos player Khayalethu Ngwenya.
Presenting the awards to the players were Mbabane Build It Plus Human Resource Manager Gladwin Hillary and Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu, in the presence of the players’ parents on Friday.
The winner, Akhile Kunene thanked the Build It stores and the football association for giving them the platform to display and develop their skills. He said this was a motivation for him and he will continue to focus both on school and on playing football.
“My coach and parents have made me understand that football and school go together. You are not supposed to choose between the two but try to find a balance between the two,” he said.
“The best five players selected from each Build It stores tournament will form a team that will be developed for the future, and we have now decided to increase the pool of players selected. Thank you to Build It Stores for their continued support,” he said.
The tournament moves to Nhlangano on Saturday, 11 February where eight teams will be playing at the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. The eight teams are All Nations, Mahlandle, Ngwane, Liswayiswayi, Home Affairs, Hlathikhulu Masters, Bhahwini and Holnek.
Five outstanding players will also be awarded soccer boots and the watch while the player of the tournament will walk away with the E1 000 bursary.
Mbabane Build It Plus individual winners:
1. Akhile Kunene Dark City E1 000, soccer boots and watch
2. Bongiswa Lukhele Dark City soccer boots and watch
3. Sibahle Dlamini M. Swallows soccer boots and watch
4. Senelo Vilakati M. Swallows soccer boots and watch
5. Khayalethu Ngwenya L. Cosmos soccer boots and watch
