Team Limpopo scooped position one with 17 gold medals, 17 silver and 9 bronze, followed by North West with 16 gold medals, 5 silver and 14 bronze then Team Western Cape with 10 gold medals, 13 silver and 10 bronze.
Though Western Cape led in Rugby, Netball and Football but could not match with Limpopo in terms of individual sporting codes.
The Limpopo MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Onicca Moloi congratulated all the participants for their performance and participation in the games as she was presenting her farewell message.
“Congratulations to the overall Inaugural champions of Rural Sport Development Programme especially the host Province Limpopo. The past few days had been a lot of hard work from all Provinces officials and athletes. The progress achieved by the federations scouts had been tremendous. Well done to those identified in various codes as the best, we wish them well,” said Moloi.
“Thanks to the four federations, for their involvement and most importantly, the province of Limpopo and the House of Traditional leaders. As we go back to our respective provinces, let’s all make sure that we are all going to work extra hard in achieving our Mandate of continuing to grow our Active and Winning nation,” said Sports Minister Thulas Nxesi.
The Chairperson of House of Traditional Leaders, Kgoshi Malesela Dikgale, declared the games officially closed. After the announcement Team Limpopo couldn’t hide its excitement that a raw talent is recognized and hounored in a dignified way. “We are proud of the team. We are proud of our players from the dusty streets of Sekhukhune and Capricorn District respectively. This win clearly shows that your background can never determine your destiny” said Limpopo Team Chef Demission, Simon Mogashoa.
Sport and Recreation South Africa has established the Rural Sport Development Programme to address rural community participation and the opportunity for talented athletes to be identified hence, participation in this programme remains of primary importance. Participants in these Championships culminated from various farming communities’ code specific controlled preliminary games which therefore lead to, National Rural
Participants in these Championships culminated from various farming communities’ code specific controlled preliminary games which therefore lead to, National Rural Sport Development Programme Championships.
The Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa remains committed to maximizing access to sport, recreation and physical activity in every community within South Africa. This
This programme is further hosted in close cooperation with Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, National House of Traditional Leaders and Provincial sports, Arts and Recreation Departments. Also involved in the successful implementation of this programme is the Provincial District and Local Municipalities and the Provincial Academies of Sport.
