Preparations are intensifying as Thabong gears up to host the Diski99 Championship at Zuka Baloyi Stadium on November 29. Sixteen schools, from primary to secondary level, will compete for top honours as the event returns after its absence in 2024.
This year’s championship comes as the Free State Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) finalises a strengthened partnership with Net Nine Nine (Net99) for the third edition of the Diski99 Tournament. The collaboration reinforces a shared commitment to expanding grassroots football, driving youth development, and building sustainable sporting pathways across the province.
The renewed partnership follows a strategic meeting between the Member of the Executive Council for DSAC, Ntombizanele Sifuba, senior departmental directors Vincent Khetha and Kutlwano Tlhakudi, and Net Nine Nine’s Group Chief-of-Staff. The engagement set the tone for a broader, more impactful tournament designed to reach more communities and amplify opportunities for young athletes.
Building on the success of the inaugural tournament, this edition introduces enhanced development components focusing not only on football and netball excellence but also on leadership, discipline, mentorship, and life skills.
The championship at Zuka Baloyi Stadium offers a crucial preview of what lies ahead, a showcase of talent, community pride, and ambition for youngsters eager to impress the talent scouts who will be in attendance.
Sifuba reaffirmed DSAC’s commitment to stakeholder partnerships that strengthen grassroots participation. A recent meeting with Head of Department Molato Tshabalala further reinforced the department’s vision to revive school sport.
“We welcome this continued collaboration with Net Nine Nine. Through the Diski99 platform, we are able to provide young people with meaningful opportunities to showcase their abilities while promoting values of teamwork, excellence, and resilience. The Diski99 tournament advances our vision of a vibrant, inclusive sporting culture in the Free State,” said Tshabalala, who will be attending.
Net Nine Nine’s Chief of Staff, Thipe, highlighted the company’s long-term dedication to community upliftment across all eight provinces.
“Net Nine Nine remains committed to investing in programmes that make a tangible difference in the lives of young South Africans. This is dear to my heart, it’s very personal, and I want to see emerging talent nurtured,” said Thipe.
“The Diski99 Championship is an important milestone, and together with the Free State DSAC, we are positioned to elevate youth development through sport.”
The partnership discussions followed shortly after the Free State successfully hosted the OR Tambo Memorial Lecture, held a fortnight ago as part of OR Tambo Month commemorations. Led by Sifuba, the lecture underscored themes of unity, service, and leadership, values closely aligned with the Diski99 initiative.
As anticipation builds for November 29, the Diski99 Championship promises to unite communities, inspire young talent, and reaffirm the power of sport as a catalyst for social change.
Soccer fixtures
- Teto High v Thotagauta Secondary
- Lebogang Secondary v Welkom High School
- Leseding Secondary v Letsete High School
- Nanabolela High School v Lephola High School
Netball fixtures
- Majaho Primary School v Aurora Primary School
- Thabong Primary School v Naudeville Primary School
- Tswelopele Primary School v Seabo Primary School
- Mantshebo Primary School v Hlolohelo Primary School
–ChannelAfrica–
