​It is acknowledged that a healthy body equals a healthy mind, a formula to a much happier life. This is what the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Sport Division is hoping to instill in children at the University’s Funda UJabule Primary School situated on the UJ Soweto Campus. This school is a partnership between UJ and the Gauteng Department of Education.

UJ sport will officially be launching a sport culture at the school on Friday, 03 June 2016. The much anticipated day will be fun-filled with activities when UJ Sport hands over sporting equipment and kits from its partners.

“Funda UJabule School did not have a sporting culture and programme since its official launch a few years ago. This primary school is geared towards producing some of the bright young minds in Johannesburg. We want these kids to excel, and one of the ways to enhance that is to get them active and by introducing sport activities. It is our role as a University to shape the children in the best way we know how, because we understand the journey from grassroots up to tertiary levels,” says Ms Nomsa Mahlangu, Senior Director: UJ Sport.

The kids will be presented with various sporting equipment for cricket (sponsored by Gauteng Cricket Board), football (sponsored by South African Football Association – SAFA), and netball (sponsored by Netball South Africa). UJ Sport will also present its sports attire to Funda UJabule.

UJ’s Executive Dean for the Faculty of Education Prof Sarah Gravett, will address the children, UJ staff in Sports and the Faculty of Education together with members of the media and those in attendance. Ms Rebecca Maboya, Principal: Funda UJabule, and Ms Tumi Mketi, Senior Executive Director: Vice-Chancellor’s Office, will be handing out the equipment and attire.

SAFA and FIFA instructors in the Grassroots Football Development Programme will interact with the children.

Taking place at the Soweto Campus Sports Centre, the ceremony will commence at 12h00 and run until 15h00.