Sport

Miné Fourie  @mine.fouriee   Looking for a sport that combines fitness, fun, and the outdoors? The canoe club at North-West University’s (NWU) Potchefstroom campus offers students and locals the chance to get active on the water, with no prior experience required. The club provides a refreshing escape from academic pressures while promoting an active and social lifestyle — all while enjoying the beautiful Potchefstroom landscape.   The club is open […]

Tebello Monokwa @tebello_monokwa   Inclusive sports programmes are transforming lives by breaking barriers, promoting equality, and creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate, compete, and thrive confidently.   Goalball, a sport specifically designed for visually impaired athletes, is played by two teams of three players on an indoor court measuring 18 by 9 metres. The objective is to throw a ball embedded with bells into the opponent’s goal, relying […]

Miné Fourie @mine.fouriee   Pre-game rituals and traditions have become an essential part of sport, helping athletes mentally and physically prepare for competition. Whether it’s a quiet moment of visualisation, a shared team tradition, or a specific mindset, these routines can play a powerful role in performance. Across different sports codes at North-West University (NWU), athletes rely on unique habits to build focus, confidence and unity before stepping onto the […]

Tebello Monokwa @Tebello_monokwa   Artificial intelligence is transforming sports by reshaping talent identification, training, and strategy, raising questions about whether technology enhances performance or diminishes the human essence of sport.   “I think AI will change what we call a talented athlete because it tries to turn moments that are indescribable into data points,” says Oluhle Mbuyisa, a soccer player for NWU. He argues that AI risks removing the human […]

Miné Fourie  @mine.fouriee    Music has become a powerful psychological tool in sport. From training sessions to right before an Olympic final, music helps athletes gain confidence and get into a win-ready zone.   A big benefit of listening to music before a match is the motivation it gives an athlete. Fast-tempo songs create excitement and energetic feelings in a person’s mind. Music like this often leaves athletes feeling happier […]

Amilcar Xayiya @melkardascribe   When the term 'mixed martial arts', or MMA, is uttered, most people’s first thought is cage fighting, knockouts and aggression. However, behind the violent spectacle, it is often viewed as something far more meaningful.   According to Gracie Barra martial arts school, MMA is not just about fighting, but rather it involves discipline, growth and building a stronger version of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. For […]

Amilcar Xayiya @melkardascribe   In an academic environment where students are challenged to think critically, manage pressure and perform at their best, the tools used to nurture these skills matter more than ever.   That is where the game of chess comes in. While viewed by some as a mere boardgame, chess is one of the most ancient as well as most powerful cognitive exercises that demands concentration, strategic thinking […]

Amilcar Xayiya @melkardascribe   For the first time a generation of young South Africans/Africans will watch their home countries compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in North America. While teams like Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia qualified for the last World Cup hosted in Qatar in 2022, for teams such as South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria, it has been over a decade since they last set foot on […]

 Amilcar Xayiya @melkardascribe   A game of crossovers, dunks and awe-inspiring shots - basketball is proving itself to be an electric sport deserving of more eyes and hype on varsity campuses. Despite the electricity, basketball still sits behind the shadow of bigger South African varsity sports such as rugby and soccer. This was further emphasised when a spectator at a recent basketball tournament, Siphokazi Msimango, asked, "Why are the stands […]