By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The best player in the Build It Under-13 National Championships will receive a bursary worth E10 000 to support their education in 2025.
The prestigious prize will be awarded on January 25, 2025, during the tournament scheduled to take place at Mavuso Sports Centre. This announcement comes just days before schools reopen on January 28. The exciting news was revealed during the official launch of the championships on Wednesday.
In 2024, the bursary was awarded to Wenkhosi Dlamini, a student at Evelyn Baring Primary School, where he excelled in Standard V.
Build It Regional Retail Operations Manager, Loekie Van Niekerk, highlighted that numerous prizes would be up for grabs during the event, which will see eight teams—representing the eight Build It stores across the country—compete for glory.
“As we aim to foster a winning football culture, your support is more crucial than ever. This year’s teams will again have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes, with the Best Player of the National Final receiving E10 000 to support their education in 2025. This initiative ensures that their potential is nurtured both on and off the field,” he said.
Build It Eswatini continues to demonstrate its commitment to football development, having invested over E500 000 in the 2024 Build It Under-13 tournament.
Van Niekerk further emphasized the long-standing partnership between Build It and the Eswatini Football Association, which has spanned over a decade.
“For 2024 alone, Build It Eswatini allocated over E500 000 to this program. This is not just a financial commitment; it’s an investment in the communities that have supported Build It in becoming Eswatini’s leading hardware brand. While we supply building materials, our mission extends to building people, dreams, and opportunities. If football is your passion, then it becomes our passion too,” he stated.
He also praised the 2024 store edition events, which were successfully held nationwide, noting that many national team players were first discovered through these grassroots tournaments.
The tournament promises to be another memorable milestone in Eswatini’s football development journey.
