'Sport builds bridges and takes you places'

PLETTENBERG BAY - Plettenberg Bay sportsmen and women believe sport can play a key role in not only transforming communities, but in addressing various social ills.

These sentiments were echoed by national minister of sport Tokozile Xasa who visited Plettenberg Bay on Human Rights Day last Thursday as part of a Bitou sport indaba.

Xasa led various members of the local sport fraternity on a 5km walk through the town to highlight the importance of an active lifestyle and thereafter did a presentation at the New Horizons Community Hall on the white paper on sport and recreation policy in South Africa, touched on the national sport and recreation plan, shared information on funding streams available to develop sport, and discussed various other issues around sport.

"Sport builds bridges and it takes you places," said Elizabeth Mpondo of the Dolphins Netball Club, who joined Xasa on the walk.

'Major health benefits'
She explained that sport not only has major health benefits but enhances the player's entire life, leaving them motivated, more disciplined and "overall more positive".

Mpondo and her team know a thing or two about sport as they have been playing in the Eden netball league for 25 years. The team includes players as young as 18 with the oldest player being 58.

Juan Windvogel of the Pioneers Cricket Club agreed with the netaball players. "Sport can play such a big role in our communities, especially among the youth," he said.

Windvogel added that developing sport in areas plagued by social issues is a challenge. "At most of the schools, the teachers' only focus is to keep the youngsters in the classroom and away from things like drugs and other pitfalls. In these cases sport, where it is most needed, falls by the wayside."

'Government can play bigger role'
This is where Windvogel believes the government could play a bigger role. "The department (of sport) should be focusing on sports development among youth, helping schools that just do not have the time and resources available to do so."

He was pleased that Xasa shed some light on how her department could assist.

"It is very important that we develop sport, especially at school level. It gives youngsters an alternative to the drugs and other social issues there are out there. It provides them with a sense of purpose, discipline and teamwork."

The Pioneers are currently playing in the SWD premier league and have come to know the importance of sports development among youngsters firsthand. "New rules state that if we want to compete we must have a youth and a women's team too. It shows you how important sports development has become."

Members of the Pioneers Cricket Club and the Dolphins Netball Club in Bitou were among sportsmen and women who participated in a 5km walk with national minister of sport Tokozile Xasa on Heritage Day. Photo: Yolande Stander

Members of the Pioneers Cricket Club and the Dolphins Netaball Club in Bitou were among sportsmen and women who participated in a 5km walk with national minister of sport Tokozile Xasa on Heritage Day. In the foreground are Mamoruti Monama and Nozie Ndesi, both from the ministry of sport. Photo: Yolande Stander