Respected sports journalist speaks at fest opening
Guest speaker Lali Stander, a seasoned sports journalist, left guests at the opening of the Mossel Bay Sport and Recreation Festival, with much food for thought. She gave a talk on “Cinderella Sport”. Stander currently works for Golf RSA, but has extensive experience in the broad spectrum of sports journalism.
She is especially knowledgeable in social media management, which is why those in attendance hung on her every word at the Bravo Lounge on Thursday, 7 September.
Stander commented on the uphill battle sport has in obtaining coverage in print and elaborated broadly on the “lifeline” provided through the variety of social media platforms.
She told how these can be used to benefit sport.
Stander made special mention of the massive contribution made by community media towards sports development, marketing and securing funding.
She specifically singled out the community newspapers of the Southern Cape and made mention of the titles in the Group Editors stable.
She concluded her talk with an insightful question and answer session, during which guests gleaned valuable information about social media management.
The Sport and Recreation Festival is facilitated by the Mossel Bay Municipality, specifically the Directorate of Community Services.
'Making history'
Elize Nel, director of Community
Services, said at the event: “Tonight, we are making history. We are thrilled to share this important milestone with you as the Mossel Bay Sports and Recreation Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary."
Nel mentioned the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We were forbidden to gather to enjoy sport. However, the Mossel Bay Sport and Recreation Festival did not become a Covid casualty. On the contrary, last year 2022 was the first proper festival since the pandemic, and we had so much interest that the event dates had to be extended thrice,” Nel said.
This year again, almost 50 sporting codes are participating, and the festival concludes on 22 October. Mossel Bay mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, who officially opened the festival, said sport unified communities.
This, he said, was why creating festivals like these was so vital.
The festival concludes with the Mayoral Cup on 22 October. The Mayoral Cup is aimed at sports development for the youth. It consists of rugby, soccer and netball events. These events take place at D`Almeida Park as well as the Extension 23 Sports Grounds.
The programme can be accessed here: www.mosselbay.gov.za/news-display/ a04a0827-332a-46e4-bba9-8674886adeda. Stander’s talk is available on the Mossel Bay Municipality’s YouTube channel, www. youtube.com/@mosselbaymunicipality7796.