"Sport is an important vehicle to promote harmonious interaction between people," said Minister of Communications and Digital Technology Solly Malatsi when addressing players at the start of the Matsila Soccer Tournament on Sunday.
Malatsi attended the opening of the competition at the Majosi grounds and expressed pride in the standard of sports development in the Vhembe region and Limpopo as a whole. He emphasised that sport plays a key role in child development. "Children who are involved in sport tend to perform well in class, and we will see better academic outcomes in the long run," he said.
The minister noted that many young people look up to sports stars as role models, regardless of their educational background. "Some even leave school to pursue careers in sport. Yes, you can succeed and enjoy the spotlight, but it can be short-lived – injuries and loss of form can end your career, and coaches can drop you," he warned. "You need to be prepared for the unexpected. Prioritise your education, and you will go far."
The tournament's sponsor, Chief Livhuwani Matsila, said the initiative was born out of a love for children. "We don't have much to give, but we believe the little we offer can make a difference," he said.
Matsila added that plans were under way to engage local businesspeople to partner with them in developing the community. "We are just giving young players direction. Who knows – we might see future national squad players emerge from this part of Vhembe," he said.