The Sports Day, designed to foster relationships and prepare participants for future competitions, featured popular sports, including football, volleyball, rugby, basketball, tennis, and netball. In addition, indigenous games such as chess, diketo, encova, and morabaraba added a unique cultural dimension to the day.
For staff members, football and netball provided an extra layer of friendly competition. Wellemina Manamela, UMP’s Sports and Recreation Manager, highlighted the importance of the Sports Day for both students and staff:
"This is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved. Our goal is to encourage an active lifestyle while having fun and preparing for more competitive matches," she said.
"At the end of the ceremony, we award participants to keep them motivated and striving for excellence. Each year, we introduce two new sports codes, expanding the variety of options for students. On the staff side, we advocate for healthy living and participation, which ultimately benefits the university as a whole."
A standout moment of the event was the staff football match between the Siyabuswa and Mbombela campuses, which drew much attention. Siyabuswa’s football coach, Ally Swathe, shared his enthusiasm following his team’s victory.
"The match was amazing, both on and off the field," he remarked. "Our strategy was to introduce players who could control the tempo, giving us an edge in understanding our opponents’ play. That approach paid off, and we won the match," he added.
UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, and Dean of Students, Dr Paul Maminza, awarded winning participants with trophies and medals.
"Today's win is so inspiring! We've now defended our title for the second year running. Hard work truly pays off. We've been preparing for this for five weeks, playing friendly matches every Wednesday against teams like the Siyabuswa SAPS, Dr JS Moroka municipal staff, and local teachers to stay fit."
Fulufhelo Siebe, a Diploma in ICT in Applications Development student and basketball centre player for Mbombela Campus, reflected on the intensity of his match.
"The weather wasn’t ideal, but both we and Siyabuswa played well. It was a great opportunity to see where we need to improve. My highlight was when the first-year players scored, showing we’re building a strong team. I’m confident we’ll perform well in the USSAs," he said.
Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase student Sfiso Mahlangu echoed this sentiment, saying the day had been a valuable learning experience.
"If we keep practising and playing friendlies, we’ll be well-prepared for the USSAs," he said. "UMP has given me the chance not only to play basketball but also to officiate games, and it’s something I’m considering as a part-time career."
As the event concluded, awards were presented to recognise the dedication and effort of all participants. UMP's Sports Day was a clear demonstration of the University’s commitment to promoting a healthy, active community and building strong teams for future competitions.
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.