By: Winston Sibanda

It was a fun filled day as the Durban University of Technology’s Sports Management students hosted their annual sports day on Friday afternoon.

This initiative was set to promote other skills within sport as well as raise funds for charity.

One of the indoor soccer organisers, Ntobeko Mbambo said playing does not fully define sport.

He said, “Such an event is teaching us to do more than sport. It has taught us a lot about marketing as well because we had to find sponsors to make this event a success.”

Mbambo said the DUT’s sports day had also opened doors for township people. He added that they had teams from uMlazi and KwaMashu competing against DUT students.

“Many people from the townships do not have facilities to play sport, so this initiative is to give them an opportunity to experience play on a proper fields and groom their talents,” said Mbambo.

The organisers “adopted” the Durban Children’s Home, with each team paying a R200 entry fee and the proceeds are donated to the children’s home.

Smanga Xulu, who took part in the indigenous games, defined his day as productive. He said it has tough him a lot about strategic planning.

“If you want to win you have to be mentally aware and it is refreshing to do something out of the classroom,” he said.

Xulu celebrated the event for uniting students.  He said the sports day was a good way of team building as it promoted interaction.

According to Gino Martin, one of the the participants,  the event is done annually as a project for sport management students.

It tests their ability to organise and host a big sporting event. He added that the event has grown over the past years and it has received a great response from students in terms of attendance.