4 minute read
OPERATION ROOM FACELIFT COMPLETED
BY DUMISANI KOYANA
THE ‘OPERATION ROOM’, as the stadium at the University of the Western Cape is affectionately known, has seen memorable victories, such as the men’s football team’s defeat of Tshwane University of Technology by two goals to one on 24 September 2015 to win their first-ever Varsity Football trophy.
NIPPY MIDFIELDER, THANDO ZIWELE, was part of that side and went on to represent University Sport South Africa at the Confederation of University and College Sports Association tournament held in Zimbabwe in 2016.
He says, “We created great everlasting memories at the Operation Room. Our die-hard supporters are the ones who came up with that name or concept. We had to win the trophy for them as a way of giving back for their loyalty.
“It was a great feeling. One cannot describe it in words. It is the best highlight of my entire varsity career.”
MIDFIELDER THALEA SMIDT is another player known to surgically carve up the opposing defence. She not only won the Cosafa Cup and the inaugural CAF Champions League trophy but, after graduating with a BSc in Biotechnology, she captained Tuks and went on to win the Hollywoodbets Super League with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Smidt says, “I have amazing memories of the UWC team. I think my highlight has to be winning the Coke Cup, USSA nationals and SASOL WC league all in one season.”
The graduate says the stadium being approved by the Premier Soccer League is an important development. “It definitely will create more exposure for the university, and students could use the opportunity not only to watch PSL games but use it as an escape from the harsh reality of academic stress or mental tiredness that comes with being a student,” says Smidt, who recently made her Banyana Banyana debut in a friendly against Zambia.
Smidt adds, “UWC has played an important role in where I am today, especially as a student athlete. They shaped me to be the person that I am today. Their aid in my sports and academics shaped me in maturing and attaining everyday skills that can be used on and off the pitch.”
ANOTHER SUPERSTAR who lit up the Operation Room with his dazzling skills and goalscoring prowess is Siphosethu Meveni, currently playing in the GladAfrica Championship for Richards Bay.
“Playing in the Operation Room was something else for me. I came there as a student athlete and I got to experience how the crowd would back us in every game that we played. In 2019, when I played in the Varsity Football competition, we only lost one game (to North-West University) but it was a game that was to take us to the fi nal. The support we got from our fellow students was out of this world and as someone who played ‘kasi’ football that was something I cherish even today. We would see masses of students gathering around and singing and that pushed us to do well but we could not reach the fi nal. I still have a love for the fans and how they were behind us.
“With the stadium being renovated, more fans will be going to the stadium to be entertained by the athletes, soccer or rugby. This will also help the ladies’ team that is playing in the Hollywoodbets Super League as now they will be able to face opponents in the Operation Room. Lastly, having been given the heads-up by the PSL, who knows, maybe one of our games might be played there against a Cape Town team. What a feeling that would be for me to make a return to the fortress that gave me a platform to be noticed,” says Meveni.
THE UPGRADED MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY will not only be used for prestige events like Varsity Football, Varsity Cup events and ladies’ football premier league matches, but even GladAfrica Championship teams have requested using the facility as it now meets the league’s requirements. The newly revamped UWC Stadium played host to the first game of the 2022 Varsity Rugby season as UWC took on the University of the Free State.
Along with the field upgrade, the track, originally laid in 1995, was replaced. Besides UWC’s own athletes, there has already been great interest by schools and clubs in surrounding communities in using the athletics facilities. B+G
