MIDDELBURG – Wednesdays have been officially declared as School Sports Day for all schools in the province. Engaging in sports not only helps learners build confidence and improve concentration in class but also promotes mental fitness.
Recognising these benefits, the Departments of Education and Culture, Sports, and Recreation collaborated to successfully launch the Wednesday Schools Sports Day. The programme was inaugurated at Themba Senamela Stadium in Mhluzi on Wednesday, 10 April 2024.
The initiative aims to encourage learners to participate in school sports activities for healthier bodies, sharper minds, and improved academic performance. Local learners who attended the launch expressed their excitement.
“The programme will help us to be physically and mentally fit,” shared one learner. “I am thrilled because I love running, and this will help me showcase my talent as I aspire to be a future runner,” added another.
Robert Chiloane of the Mpumalanga Schools Sports Organisation (MSSO) highlighted that the lack of facilities poses a significant challenge, limiting participation in sports other than soccer. “We have 18 sporting codes in the province in which learners are involved. The issue we face is the lack of facilities for these other codes,” he explained.
MEC for Culture, Sports, and Recreation, Thandi Shongwe, revealed that her department supported 100 schools in the previous financial year with soccer and netball kits. She further announced an increase in support, stating, “We will expand the number of schools from 100 to 200 in the 2024/2025 financial year. This demonstrates our commitment to supporting sports.”
During his address, MEC Bonakele Majuba emphasised the importance of promoting a positive view of sports among learners. “We must resist the temptation of unhealthy competition and use sports to create a favourable environment for our children to enjoy being at school,” he urged.
Majuba also expressed a desire to broaden school sports participation, aiming for the majority of learners to represent both national and international teams. “Every learner should participate in one or two sporting codes, given their diversity and accessibility. With a variety of sports codes available, including indoor, outdoor, and indigenous games, there’s no reason our learners shouldn’t participate in sports at school,” he concluded.
