The City of Joburg has started the selection process for the OR Tambo Soncini Social Cohesion games, and Region A Basketball Association has begun selecting its players for the event.
In conjunction with Region A Sports and the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, the association hosted its U16 basketball selection process on September 24 at Rabie Ridge Stadium.
Local basketball players donned their kits and displayed impressive skills on the basketball courts with only 24 boys and girls selected to represent the region at the games.
The association’s secretary general Frans Leshalabe said basketball was becoming more popular in local communities due to the Department of Basic Education, and provincial and regional recreation and sports departments which are recognising organisations such as theirs.
A large part of the association’s work involves creating awareness about the sport in schools and community clubs.
“The only work that needs to be done is to encourage more girls to participate in basketball, and demystify it as a boy’s sport,” said Leshalabe.
“It was apparent that these selections happened on such a key day [Heritage Day] in our South African calendar because sports has become part of youths’ heritage and culture in our diverse community.”
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