Rural youth to compete in Rural Sport Development Programme

rural-sport2017-resized.jpg

As part of efforts to promote sports in rural areas, the Department of Sport and Recreation will this weekend host the Provincial Rural Sport Development Programme, which features youth from various traditional councils in the Province.

The event will be held on Friday and Saturday, 23 - 24 March, at the Kandahar Sports Grounds and Ladysmith High School in Ladysmith, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The programme was initiated last year with only two traditional councils participating, Maphumulo TC in eThekwini and Mnqobokazi TC in Umkhanyakude District. They were identified by the KZN House of Traditional Leaders to pilot the programme. The 2018 event has seen the increase from two to five with the addition of KwaXolo TC in Ugu, Vulindlela TC in Umzinyathi as well as Amaswazi TC in UThukela.

The Programme is one of the biggest club development initiatives, which targets youth from the disadvantaged backgrounds, specifically rural areas. The event draws a large number of participants, both male and female with the aim of talent identification.  The focal aim of the programme is to promote sports in traditional council areas.

Youth from these areas will compete in rugby, football, athletics and netball.

MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, said the games provide a perfect platform for youth from rural areas to showcase their talent.

“With these games, the Department aims to provide sport and recreation activities to the youth in order to improve social cohesion as well as promoting growth and development of different sport codes in the Province,” she said.

She added that the games are aimed at promoting participation in sports, healthy lifestyles as well as social cohesion in rural areas.

The programme is staged from izigodi/localities within participating traditional councils, thereafter moves to district tournaments and eventually culminate into a provincial event.

Vision

A healthy, winning, and socially cohesive province through sport and recreation.

Follow Us

Contact us

  • 135 Pietermartiz Street, Pietermartizburg, 3200
  • Call Us: +2733 897 9400
  • Mail Us: info@kzndsr.gov.za
  • 07.30 am - 4.00 pm.