Johannesburg, 24 April 2025: Balfour Mall in Johannesburg has stepped up to support a new school initiative that combined sport, talent scouting and community pride in a packed day of competition at Northview High School. The VYG (Victory Youth Group) Sports Day, held on 12 April, in partnership with Chippa United, attracted learners from ten schools for a programme that combined athletics (mixed relay), chess, netball and soccer. This initiative reflects the mall’s ambition to back meaningful community development projects in its surrounding area.

With strong backing from multiple stores within Balfour Mall, the centre contributed R13 000 in direct sponsorship, bringing in several additional partners that contributed to help make the event possible. The combined value of all sponsorships totalled R65 510, which supported catering, prizes and professional event content creation, contributing to a competitive, fun-filled day for the participating learners.

Driving local participation and opportunity

A total of 297 learners and 80 officials from schools across Gauteng took part, with each school entering one team in each of the four sporting codes. The winning teams were awarded medals and trophies, while standout performers attracted the attention of the talent scouts in attendance. One learner was offered an immediate opportunity to begin training with Chippa United’s development team.

“The VYG Sports Day demonstrated the power of bringing together schools, sponsors and the local community around a single purpose,” said Kurt Keshwar, Marketing Manager at Balfour Mall. “We’re proud to have played a role in making this happen, and it’s just the start of what we plan to continue doing in the months ahead.”

More on the way

Following the strong turnout and online response, the VYG team, alongside Balfour Mall, will be launching two more school-based projects this year: the “Help Project with Notes,” which focuses on academic support, and a school talent show designed to showcase creative and performance abilities. Both projects aim to keep the momentum going by creating more spaces where young people can thrive, whether in the classroom, on stage or on the field.

For further information about Balfour Mall, its trading hours, stores and projects, please visit https://balfourmall.co.za/

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