Ekurhuleni hosts games to celebrate Tambo’s legacy

Winners of tourney to compete in Italy in July next year

The Gauteng provincial government and the City of Ekurhuleni will host the OR Tambo ‘Social Cohesion Games’ this weekend at the Germiston Stadium.

The games are part of the centenary celebrations of liberation icon, OR Tambo’s 100th anniversary.

Tambo left an enduring legacy which included forging international unity that these games hope to continue, the provincial government said in a statement.

The games will feature six sporting codes: athletics, rugby, basketball, football, netball and swimming.

They are a culmination of district and regional competitions from which teams were selected for the games on Saturday and Sunday.

A squad of top achievers from the games will be selected to represent South Africa at the TriColour Games in Italy in July.

More than 1 000 young people from all over Gauteng are expected to battle to be crowned the champions of the inaugural games. Entrance is free.

“I am excited that these games will take place in Gauteng.

“They will enable us to show sporting excellence and give future stars a platform to prepare them to perform overseas,” said Gauteng head of department of sport, arts, culture and recreation Monica Newton during the launch of the games in Ekurhuleni.

“Fundamentally, the aim of these games is to unite the people and provide an opportunity for us to get together and showcase our talents.

“I would like to urge the people of Gauteng to come out in their numbers and enjoy the games,” added Newton.