KAMHLUSHWA – The Nkomazi sub-region has attracted attention from the Mpumalanga Rugby Union (MRU) which lobbied for sponsonship for local rugby teams.

This became evident last week when the KaMhlushwa Rugby Club and the Lugedlane Primary School were given rugby kits including balls and sets of jerseys. These teams have been earmarked for the windfall during rugby coaching clinics which were held at Ingwenyama Lodge early this year.

Happiness was written all over the faces of the teams as they have played without proper apparel in the past.

Speaking for the (MRU) Dries Breytenbach said: “This is just the onset of our commitment. Our goal is to dispel the fallacy that rugby was meant for white people.” He further said they are committed to improving the image of the game among local rugby players so that they are also on par with their more affluent counterparts.

According to Breytenbach, the Nkomazi sub-region will have recognizable rugby stars amidst the 2010 Soccer World Cup frenzy.

“We wish to be represented by the region’s players on some upcoming rugby world cups,” he went on.

“We want to express our gratitude to the union for giving us this opportunity to make our children’s dreams come true. Our learners had always wanted to learn the game but our knowledge of it was always limited. With this kind of support they will learn even more,” said Jane Luphoko, who is a teacher at Lugedlane School.

However, KaMhlushwa Rugby Club’s Amon Mavuso said they are faced with an enormous challenge of teaching youngsters the rules which govern the game of rugby. He expressed his gratitude for the sponsorship.

He also urged players to take the game seriously as they could make careers of it. “It pays a lot to be a rugby player,” Mavuso advised.