The Orange Farm community has welcomed back its young athletes who represented Gauteng and the area at the National Schools Winter Games held in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
The athletes returned home after making their mark on the national stage, with the volleyball team securing a silver medal, while the Gauteng Under-17 boys’ soccer team reached the quarter-finals of the competition.
Speaking on behalf of the Orange Farm Sports Council (OFASCO), chairperson Thato Tsotetsi said the council was proud to welcome back the athletes who carried the community’s name with pride.
“We as the sports council are delighted to welcome back our volleyball players and the soccer player who represented Gauteng and Orange Farm at the national winter games. The volleyball boys brought home a silver medal, and the Gauteng U17 boys’ team competed until the quarter-finals. We are very happy as Orange Farm to produce such young talent,” said Tsotetsi.
Tsotetsi also praised the coaches and technical teams for their commitment behind the scenes in developing young athletes.
“The gratitude goes to the coaches who do the most work behind the scenes to produce the talent that we have in Orange Farm,” he added.
Representing OFASCO at the welcome ceremony was Abel Malanda, while Lucky Mathethe represented Sports and Recreation, alongside district representative Mdu, who congratulated the athletes and the technical teams for their achievements.
Among the athletes recognised was Teme Bokang from Masibambane College, who was the only soccer player from Orange Farm selected to represent Gauteng in the U17 boys’ soccer team at the provincial school winter games. The team reached the quarter-finals of the tournament.
The achievement highlights Orange Farm’s growing sporting talent across different codes and the important role played by coaches, schools and sporting organisations in creating opportunities for young athletes to compete at provincial and national level.
