By REGINALD KANYANE

Ditsobotla Local Football Association (DILFA) chairperson, Thebe Sekoto said grassroots games play a pivotal role in developing football, especially in rural areas. This comes after the DILFA held Easter Football Tournament at Itsoseng Stadium in Itsoseng during Easter weekend.

Bianca Academy Football Club has crowned champions of the Ditsobotla Local Football Association (Dilfa) Easter Football tournament on Monday. The Blydeville-based club reigned supreme as they thumped Florentina 2-0 in a thrill-a-minute senior men’s final.

“In partnership with AfriSam, Dilfa marked the 2nd anniversary of the annual tournament with yet another successful event, a competition which featured as many as 800 participants from local communities.

“Florentina were not the only winners on the day. Madibe Ladies edged Bianca Academy 3-1 on penalties to claim the senior women’s cup. In the boys U-19 final, Scottish from Blydeville took honours with a narrow 1-0 win over Mighty Blizzards from Itsoseng,” he said.

Sekoto further said in the Masters and Legends final, Brotherhood FC oldies from Klerksdorp defied age as they brushed aside Bafitlhile FC 3-1. He added that DILFA XI crashed AfriSam United 5-2 in an invitational clash.

The tournament was graced by dignitaries and scouts including South African Football Association (SAFA) honorary president, Prof Lesole Gadinabokao including Safa North West president David Molwantwa.

Gadinabokao said: “Talent identification is at the heart of football development. The growth of this tournament is important for football in the community. We have seen lots of talent throughout the tournament and I’m certain the scouts would have been impressed by what they’ve seen.

“I’d like to see more and more players coming out of the province and enroll in academies. In that way, we will grow our talent pool and this will benefit our national teams, including Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.”

Meanwhile, the AfriSam General Manager Vishal Aniruth has commended the organisers for the successful event, pointing to its impact on grassroots football in disadvantaged communities.

“We are happy with the tournament success held, looking forward these type of tournaments where we can go to the grassroots and reach more young players, both girls, and boys. Tournaments like this help to elevate them to the national teams.

“Talent identification remains a key driver during this tournament with a sole purpose to unearth raw talent and expose it particularly amongst women and U19 players,” said Aniruth.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

North West Department of Health has appointed Obakeng Mongale as its new Head of Department (HoD). This was announced by North West Department of Health MEC, Madoda Sabatha yesterday.

The Head of Department position was left vacant after the dismissal of the former Head of Department, Dr Thabo Lekalakala who was accused of fraud and corruption. Embattled Lekalakala allegedly signed and pre-paid the Mediosa Company more than R30m.

Lekalakala was dismissed in 2018 by the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro. Mokgoro’ spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi said: “Mokgoro has considered the final verdict post the disciplinary hearing of Lekalakala. The outcome which follows the disciplinary hearing that has been ongoing since 2018, dictates that Lekalakala is guilty on five charges against him.

“He faced allegations of gross misconduct and in the light of the verdict presented before the Premier by the Presiding Officer. The Premier has taken a decision to dismiss Lekalakala from employment.”

The dismissal was effected on 13 January 2020.

The departmental administrator, Jeanette Hunter said: “Filling this position has been one of the critical milestones that we just achieved. I believe that Mongale has what it takes to lead this huge department in the area of administration. From now on, I will have some time to do proper handover for the period left until the end of Section 100 1b.”

Meanwhile North West MEC for Health department, Madoda Sambatha has called on the management and the entire staff complement of the department to support the new HOD.

“A lot of groundwork to reassert the department’s credibility and ability to deliver quality health services has been achieved under Ms Hunter’s leadership. This has laid a solid foundation for the new HOD.

“The new HOD has a vast experience at the executive level has been a HOD of other departments before. He also has in-depth knowledge of the department of health both in the branch and the support functions,” Sambatha said.

He further said nonetheless, Mongale will still need the support of all of the management and employees of the department, if he is to make a great success of this challenging position.  

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the passing of the South African School Chess Association (SASCA) president, Thomas Lechelele. According to the media statement, Lechelele died in Hammaskraal on Tuesday.

SASCA secretary, Justice Tlamama described Lechelele as a decorated chess coach and educator who was instrumental in the building of chess structures in the North West.

“The North West Chess fraternity mourns the passing of Lechelele who served as the first president of Ngaka Modiri Molema Chess Association from 2007 until 2017. During this period, Lechelele was the principal at Tau Primary School in Madiba a ga RraTau in Mahikeng.

“His school produced provincial and national champions in 2016 and preceding years with some winning scholarships at top schools in the province. Lechelele will be celebrated for his passion and undying spirit for the game, as well as the determination he instilled in his learners,” said Tlamama.

He added that Lechelele also served in the leadership of Chess as president of the North West Schools Chess from 2010 until 2020 as well as the president of North West Chess Federation from 2014 until 2017. Tlamama further said Lechelele passed away while still serving his beloved federation, SASCA as president from 2017 to date.

“We are greatly saddened by the passing of Bra Tom as Lechelele was affectionately known to the masses. We have lost a giant, a pioneer and I am truly lost for words. Lechelele was an anchor in the movement, together with him, we championed the formation of chess clubs across his district and later the Ngaka Modiri Molema Chess Federation.

“Furthermore, we moved and formed the provincial structure and later represented the province at the national federation where he was appointed as president. All in all, I moved with him through the ranks as the secretary. The chess community has really lost a real leader in Bra Tom,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lechelele who retired in 2019 as a teacher will be buried in Mahikeng this week.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari urges motorists to buckle up and drive according to the condition of the road, instead of the speed limit.

This comes after two taxis and a sedan were involved in a car accident on N18 road near Mahikeng, today at around 7am.

“One of the taxis was ferrying learners to school when it was involved in an accident. Thirteen learners were transported to hospital for medical attention. One of the taxi drivers including three learners sustained serious injuries.

“We would like to wish all those injured a speedy recovery and once more appealed to motorists to be patient and drive to the condition of the road, instead of the speed limit,” Lehari said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com