5 districts in sports battle

POLOKWANE – The department of sport, arts and culture is hosting the 2014 Provincial Club Development Games at the University of Limpopo’s sports grounds from December 1 to 4.

Young people from all five districts in the province will compete in seven sporting codes; football, volleyball, netball, cricket, softball, volleyball, boxing, basketball and rugby.

According the department’s sport and recreation general manager, Veronica Choshane, the purpose of the club development programme is to develop and support clubs in various sporting codes with the help of federations and municipalities.

“This programme aims to identify, nurture and develop talent in young people through sport in order to prepare them to play in national teams.

“The Provincial Club Development Games are the litmus test of the talent that was unearthed throughout the year in all districts and to form a provincial squad, inclusive of participating sport codes that would ply their skills and prowess against the best in other provinces,” she said.

She added that the players were chosen from community clubs in the five districts with the aim to strengthen the existence of these clubs, especially in rural areas.

As a result, the department will promote and develop the talents of young athletes.

All the players who will participate in the games will receive the necessary playing attire and sports equipment.

Teams recently competed at district level to select the team that will represent each district in the games.

This week, the Provincial Club Development Games will determine the best district teams in the province.

Last year, the Waterberg district was the overall winner of the games.

Choshane said the aim of these games was also to promote more healthy lifestyles and to keep young people out of trouble in positively occupied.