MBABANE – Withdrawn!
The upcoming Eswatini Schools Sports Association (ESSA) Games will proceed without several local contenders this year, as the devastating aftermath of the Buhleni storms has forced schools to officially withdraw from the competition.
The decision comes as school administrators grapple with severe structural damage that has left many institutions unfit for occupancy. With classrooms unroofed and teaching materials destroyed, head teachers have made the difficult call to prioritise infrastructure rehabilitation over sporting glory.
The schools were hit by a severe storm that swept through parts of the country late last year. Also affected was the Eswatini Football Association (EFA)’s fourth technical centre at Mkhuzweni. Located just a few kilometres from the rapidly developing Buhleni Town, the facility also suffered major damage during the weather event.
A source close to the matter revealed that headlining the list of schools that have withdrawn from participating in this year’s ESSA Games is Herefords High School, located a few kilometres from Buhleni. “The school has announced that they will not be competing in athletics, ball games or cultural events, as they have not yet started lessons,” the source said.
The source added that the school authorities have already informed the ESSA Executive, through the Pigg’s Peak branch, requesting to be excused from participating this year.
Herefords High School Head teacher Busisiwe Mdluli confirmed that they have decided against competing in sports this year, as the entire school was devastated by the storm.
“We haven’t started working yet as our school was affected by the storm, so we would not be doing justice to the learners to make them compete in games when we are already behind in lessons,” Mdluli said.
She stated that the decision to opt out of the ESSA Games was driven by the need to regain lost academic time. The head teacher declined to comment further when asked if the pupils had already paid sports fees for the year. “I can’t comment on that,” she said briefly.
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Boys in the 800m during the Eswatini Schools Sports Association Athletics National Championships last year. (File pic)