Deputy Minister of Sport deeply concerned over nation’s lack of activity
The deputy minister underlined how sport continues to foster wellness, peace, peacekeeping and peace building, not only in South Africa but across the world.
The Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Gert Oosthuizen stressed the importance of cultivating a culture a physical activity in the nation, especially among the youth.
He was the guest speaker at the East Rand Business Women’s August meeting at Summer Place during which he discussed the power of sport as a universal language.
Discussing the Sport and Recreation Plan, he said the government is pushing for compulsory physical activity in schools and for it to become compulsory for children to compete in sport.
He pointed out how obesity, along with other illnesses such as diabetes and osteoporosis, is on the rise throughout the world, and how getting people to become more active will address these critical health concerns.
“Studies have shown that children born after 2000 might not live as long as their parents because of the increasing lack of physical activity,” said Oosthuizen.
“Studies have also shown the majority of people in the world are no longer engaged in any form of activity. The reality is that your body has been made to move.”
He mentioned how a decrease in physical activity, that has led to an increase in health risks is a global concern, which prompted the launch of Move for Health Day back in 2003.
This is an annual global initiative held on May 10 to promote physical activity sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Physical activity is a powerful tool for the development of our youth, as it will give greater meaning to their lives, while they will learn many life lessons.”
The deputy minister made mention of several local athletes who have, through sport, overcome the challenges they faced due to harsh upbringings of poverty.
Regarding peace and wellness, Oosthuizen pointed out how the Olympic Games remain the ideal of how sport can unite a world that is so often torn apart by intolerances, violence and prejudice.
“It is after all the Olympic ideal for sport to be a unifying factor, while buildings friendships among people who are so often divided because of religion and culture.
“For this reason, South Africa entered the Olympic Games again in 1992, for such an event fosters peace and building bridges between people and cultures.
“The world is facing many challenges and crisis, but sport keeps on paving the way. The last summer Olympics was truly a celebration of our differences. Sport transcends all barriers, including language and culture.
“Consider the magnitude of sport’s role in relation to the ping-pong diplomacy, which was the exchange of table tennis players between the United States and the People’s Republic of China in the early 1970s.
“The event marked a turning point in Sino-American relations that paved the way to a visit to Beijing by President Richard Nixon.
“Still today, sport serves as a means to generate dialogue and reconciliation, and to enhance social change.”
In South Africa, he pointed to the Rugby World Cup of 1995 and how it united a nation, while the Fifa World Cup of 2010 fostered wellness and peace in the country.
He said the UN also recognises sport as being a powerful took for it encourages individual development, health promotion and disease prevention, promotion of gender equality, economic development while it has a unique power to attract, mobilise and inspire.
“Sport still plays a significant role as a promoter of social integration and economic development in different geographical, cultural and political contexts.
“Sport is a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and networks, and to promote ideals of peace, fraternity, solidarity, non-violence, tolerance and justice.”
He said for this reason, the UN celebrates International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6.
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