Cape Town Games create sense of community

SEVEN hundred excited teens put a different spin on sports and entertainment at the Cape Town Games in Kuils River.

Drie stokkies, dibeke, marabaraba and more traditional pursuits such as table tennis, four-a-side soccer, netball, pool, dominoes and chess were played in competitions.

The games are part of the City of Cape Town’s sporting and recreation calendar, and attracted hundreds of youngsters to the Sarepta Sports and Recreation facility in Kuils River last weekend.

The participants had made their way through qualifying stages to reach the finals, including:

Games at their local community recreation facility which involved more than 20 000 participants across the city. Sub- area level games featuring about 5 000 participants. Area-level games where they were among 3 000 participants.

JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security and social services, said the games provided a competitive platform at a citywide level, whether in board games, traditional games,

Such events self-esteem

pool, or table tennis.

“Not everyone wants to put on a uniform and kick a ball across a goal line. One of the priorities of the city’s organisational development and transformation plan is to build integrated communities. Events like this do just that by catering for all young people and ensuring that our various programmes appeal to them.”

Smith said the event encouraged physical activity and healthy competition.

“It also gives those attending our programmes at the recreation centres an event to aim for and train towards.”

Smith added such events were important as they boosted teens’ self-esteem.

“The physical benefits for our participants include maintaining a healthy body, preventing chronic diseases, and learning the skills necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“Sport also has the profound ability to connect people. It cuts across social, religious and economic barriers and is one of the most significant peace- keeping tools in any community,” he said.

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