MEC launches School Sports Fixtures

The programme was launched at Benoni High School.

These are the objectives:

•  To promote social cohesion amongst learners from different areas and background;
•  identification of latent talent amongst the learner population in Gauteng;
•  promote physical activity in schools;
•  promote a healthy lifestyle and combat obesity;
•  to create awareness of the sporting opportunities and physical education in schools;
•  to contribute to sport development in the province.

The Gauteng Schools League is an initiative of the provincial government, which aims to develop township schools across various sporting codes by hosting leagues where players from those schools will have a fair opportunity to participate and develop their talents.

Creating school leagues will provide schools with the ideal opportunity to introduce innovative programmes that learners will enjoy at school.

Targeted sporting codes are football, netball, volleyball and rugby.

Sport stars and motivational speakers like Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Sibusiso Leope (DJ Sbu) and Linda Ntuli came out to support the launch and motivate the pupils.

Ntuli, a motivational speaker and author, encouraged the learners to go out there and make their dreams possible.

“Use your mind to shape your wealth; you are wired to win,” she said.

”Greatness comes through pain; if you want be successful you must dedicate yourself to hard work,” said Leope.

Lesufi addressed the pupils on the importance of building the future of this province through sport.

“What we are launching today; we are starting a revolution in Gauteng,” he said.

“We are looking for future stars, who will bring home world cups.

“This launch is meant to identify talent and expose them on an international stage.”

On the day, various schools from Gauteng participated in different sporting activities and winners were awarded trophies and medals.