SPORTS MEC CONGRATULATES KZN SENIOR CITIZENS ON DEFENDING THEIR CROWN
KWAZULU-NATAL has done it again on the sporting front after scooping yet another national title recently. This follows an excellent performance by the Province’s senior citizens (ogogo nomkhulu) who successfully defended their title at National Champions in the National Golden Games last week.
The annual National Golden Games were held in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province between 24 and 28 October. The Golden Games are a national event where persons older than 65 compete in various sporting codes. The Games featured 17 codes including athletics, duck walk, jukskei, dress-up, football and others.
It is a joint initiative of the Department of Sport and Recreation in partnership with Social Development Department at national and provincial levels. It also includes programmes such as the senior citizen’s parliament and music competition.
Team KZN - which gave itself a nickname “Tsunami” – scooped most of the trophies on offer in different games, thus returning home with the Gold medal. They were followed by Gauteng on the second sport and Limpopo, the hosts came third.
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Bongi Sithole-Moloi applauded the senior citizens for their win, adding that their dedication should serve as a motivation to younger generations.
“Our senior citizens have done us proud and we are very excited about their victory. I knew they were going to do it,” said MEC Sithole-Moloi.
“I want to thank them for once again putting our Province on the map, as well as everyone who has given them support. In particular I want to thank the Office of the Premier and the provincial Department of Social Department for partnering with us in programmes that are aimed at improving the quality of life for our senior citizens,” added the MEC.
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, KZN Social Development MEC Weziwe Thusi and Head of the Department of Sport and Recreation KZN, Rohini Naidoo are among the dignitaries that graced the event to encourage senior citizens.
Team KZN players said they were expecting this good performance due to proper preparation and team work.
“The games went very well and we are really proud that we won. We are grateful to our government for giving us this opportunity to be part of the games. Never in our wildest dreams had we ever thought we will be able to sleep in a hotel. But our government has granted us that opportunity. Here we are and we have been granted an opportunity to live a healthy life through sport and recreation. We are really grateful to the Department of Sport and Recreation” said Joseph Madonsela, one of the participants.
Government encourages senior citizens to participate in regular physical activities because it is a proven fact that sport does was not only entertaining but has health benefits as well.