Vaal inter-res sport event brings students together
A total of 150 students at NWU Vaal Campus participated in the annual inter-res sport competition. Students participated in netball, soccer and FIFA games at the NWU Vaal sports grounds on Wednesday, 30 March 2022.
The competition is hosted by the NWU Vaal sports council every year. It was not held during the hard lockdown in 2020. The event brings together various residences to compete against each other in sporting activities.
Bahle Conco (22), Oryx residence sports officer at the NWU Vaal campus, described the competition as a platform where students get to take a break from their academics while keeping physically active and getting a chance to socialise with each other.
“To be honest, the return of inter-res is overwhelming and it is so refreshing to see everyone gathering and cheering. Our first game was against Ebukhosini residence where we lost 2-1. Our second game was last week against Bohlale residence where we scored a draw in the netball match and won against them in the FIFA game,” said Conco.
Conco also said that as a former soccer semi-finalist it has always been a wish for his team to win the inter-res competition due to the weighting values of the tournament. He also wants to provide everyone an opportunity to compete and relieve their academic burden as the current sports officer of Oryx residence, because the tournament is not for sports officers, but for NWU students.
Aluncedo Dlala (20), one of the netball players for Acacia residence, said, “since I joined the inter-res tournament I felt at home because of the warm welcome and treatment I received from the sports committee. I am very grateful to be one of their own, and looking forward to the upcoming games.” Dlala thanked the organisers for opening opportunities like the inter-res tournament for the youth.
The map above is an illustration of where the NWU Vaal inter-res took place and other surrounding areas on campus. MAP: Nthabiseng Masango
Dlala added that the biggest challenge she is currently facing as a player is the pressure of winning every game. One lesson that she wants to take away is to never limit her capabilities, and she encourages everyone to grab every opportunity that lies ahead.
Kgomotso Kgobe (20), Acacia sports officer at the NWU Vaal campus, stressed the importance of the inter-res competition as a way to promote a vibrant student life. “From my perspective, the purpose of the inter-res is to bring back the vibrancy through sports, to develop players, and most importantly to have fun. My key responsibility was to make sure that I had a strong team,” said Kgobe.
The Acacia netball team has played two games so far, and won both. The first game was against Ebukhosini residence where they won 8-7. The second game was against Bohlale residence where they also won 18-3.
The inter-res competition at the NWU Vaal campus continues to grow immensely. It is one of the key highlights of the 2022 sport competitions in Vanderbijlpark. Many students came out in numbers to support the players and their respective residences.
During the second week of August the two best remaining residences will compete against each other in the finals. A trophy and medals will be awarded to the winners.