Annual sports day brings in the sunshine

Patients and staff of Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital recently celebrated its 21st annual sports day.

Even with strict Covid-19 protocols and some limitations, this did not dampen the mood. The much-anticipated day has become an all-important event for patients and staff of the hospital who, throughout the years, witnessed the struggles, tears and moments of enormous accomplishment of those on their way to recovery.

According to the hospital’s general manager, Gugulethu Setati, the theme for this year’s event – sunshine on a cloudy day – is a reflection of the courage patients have shown throughout their recovery.

“These words really rang true for us this year as we all anxiously waited for the sunshine to break through when our big day finally dawned. The annual sports day was initially scheduled to take place on December 3 last year, to coincide with World Disability Day. But because of the onset of the fourth Covid-19 surge, we, unfortunately, had to postpone the event.”

Setati added that, on the sports day, they took a moment to acknowledge the difficulties that have been overcome by the sheer determination of their brave patients.

“While the ultimate aim of the hospital’s sports day is to encourage patients to have fun while participating in physical activity, teamwork and competition, as a healthcare facility, our first priority was the implementation of strict Covid-19 protocols to safeguard all those who were present on the day. The 2021 event may have been postponed by a few months, but the great thing is that having it so early in 2022 means that we get to do it all over again towards the end of the year – something which we all can look forward to and work towards,” she concluded.