ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 15 • 9-22 July 2010
Mbombela/Nelspruit
The Chile National team may have been knocked out of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and already left the country but they will certainly be forever remembered in the province.
Chile, the only team to have chosen this province as their base for the 2010 World Cup games, left a lasting legacy to the people of the province, especially to Cyril Clarke learners who recently received a full sporting gear from the Chile government and Soccer body.
Both the Minister of Sports Gabriel Ruiz Table and the President of Chile Football Association, Harold Mayne-Nicholls took some time off their busy schedules to spend some time and attend to the needs of the learners.
The Chilean delegates, who included members of Chile government and a number of Chilean Journalists, donated soccer kits to learners of the once troubled Cyril Clarke High.
Joining the Chilean dignitaries were the MEC for Culture, Sports and Recreation, Vusi Shongwe, MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration, Meshack Malinga, MEC for Education Regina Mhaule and 2010 Co-ordinator, Differ Mogale. Mhaue received the soccer kits on behalf of the learners and the entire school as per protocol.
On handing over the soccer kit, Harold Mayne-Nicholls said they were deeply touched by the reception they received in the province since they landed here four weeks ago.
“Mpumalanga people have been great to us and we now feel like we belong here and as a token of appreciation we decided to adopt this school and help them with soccer kits,” he explained.
“We don’t regret ever choosing this province as our base and we hope that our friendship will even grow beyond this,” said Nicholls.
Nicholls went on to suggest a game between Bafana-Bafana and Chile. “Perhaps we could host a game between the two countries just to strengthen our friendship.”
The jubilant MEC for Education, Regina Mhaule said the Mpumalanga government and its citizens will always cherish their newly established friendship with Chile and that she believes the soccer gear will go a long way in assisting the learners realise their sporting potential.
“...I hope and trust that the learners will just for the sake of Chile make good use of their beautiful gear and take sport seriously.” She said.
Chile adopts local school and donates soccer kit
ABOVE: Government representatives and Chilean soccer officials posing with future stars.
