SALGA in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture hosts the 3rd provincial Inkosi Albert Luthuli Games

Posted: 08 August 2016

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SALGA Northern Cape in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture held the third provincial Inkosi Albert Luthuli Games at Robert Gunda Stadium in Upington on 6-7 August.

There was much excitement from the Northern Cape youth as teams from five districts in province participated in soccer, netball and basketball. At the opening ceremony of these games on Friday evening, speakers advised participants on the significance that sports bears in their lives.

The first female president of the South African Football Association in the ZFM District, Emma Hendricks told the youth about the most overlooked benefits of taking part in sports.

SALGA Northern Cape Provincial Executive Officer Mr Modibedi Mongwe said if the youth make smart choices they are destined to make it in sport. He said with the support from SALGA, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and provincial federations and association, the participants will in future feature international sports competitions.

SALGA Northern Cape’s Programme Manager for Community Development Mr Johannes Ruiters called for women emancipation in the sports fraternity. “We are moving in a positive direction but I would like all of us gathered here to play our role in accelerating the pace of this process by working together to combat women oppression in sports", he said.

The Inkosi Albert Luthuli Games were held, amongst others to:

• to establish functional clubs with a more cooperative approach to institutional arrangements
• to give local administrators, technical officials and sport staff the know-how to implement major sports events
• to develop responsible youth through sports and recreation
• to work towards more cohesive inclusive communities and improved sport infrastructure.

During the closing ceremony; SALGA Northern Cape Chairperson, Councillor Willie Johnson expressed his appreciation of all members of the local organising committee and the sports federations for ensuring that sports is taken to local government level.

Councillor Johnson urged organisers to ensure that other districts get a chance to host this annual programme. He said the programme should be expanded to accommodate more sporting codes and races.

“It is evident that we need to source sufficient funding for this tournament and I trust that SALGA will play their role in securing a reasonable budget in the fourth Inkosi Albert Luthuli Games”, he concluded.