The Mangaung Knights Basketball Club won the 18th annual St John’s College Basketball Tournament played in Johannesburg from 23 to 26 February.
Ikaelelo Likhi, coach and vice-chairperson of the club, says the U13 team can be proud of winning the biggest development boys’ basketball tournament in the country.
They were undefeated in all seven games.
Mangaung Knights beat the St Benedict’s Junior Preparatory School, as well as St David’s, Saheti and The Ridge. The team also defeated the Sacred Heart College and the Michael Mount Waldorf School before beating St Stithians College by 24 – 15 in the final.
Likhi explains the Mangaung Knights basketball teams of varying age groups and gender have not only become a success within their district of Mangaung, but also around the country by successfully competing against the best schools and clubs.
“They have since 2019 become staple participants at the annual St John’s College Basketball Tournament in Johannesburg, with an impressive level of success.”
The U13 boys came fifth in 2019 and fourth in 2020. The boys’ U15 team achieved bronze in 2021, with the U14 boys accomplishing the same feat in 2022.
This year they proved hard work pays off, with the overall win in the U13 category.
“We are proud to say they have put Mangaung Basketball on the map, and have gained respect nationwide,” Likhi says.
The Mangaung Knights Basketball Club is a youth basketball programme operating under the nonprofit organisation (NPO) Change Gamer Sports Development (CGSD).
The programme assists in the development of children from as young as seven years by using sports, mostly basketball, as a vehicle for positive social change.
The club was founded in July 2014.
Operating from Batho, the club drives positive social change in the community and has done so through basketball for years.
The community has embraced the club and leaders within the district have taken heed of the work done here.
