No funding for games
DESPITE receiving no departmental funding, the opening of the 2023 Salga KZN Games went off without a hitch in Richards Bay on Thursday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the uMhlathuze Central Sport Complex, Salga KZN Chairperson Thami Ntuli expressed profound disappointment at the absence of sponsorship from the Department of Sport and Recreation.
Addressing the delegates and athletes, Ntuli said the Salga Games are renowned for not only showcasing athletic excellence, but also for it’s commitment to uplifting underprivileged children, and stand as a beacon of hope and opportunity for those who may not otherwise have access to such platforms.
“The Department of Sport, by not contributing to this noble cause, misses a vital opportunity to empower disadvantaged youth and provide them with a chance to break free from the chains of circumstance,” said Ntuli.
“The disappointment echoes not just in the organisational challenges, but resonates deeply in the lost potential of countless young minds who could have found solace, inspiration, and a pathway to success through the transformative power of sport.
“As we navigate these games without the anticipated support, we can only hope that future opportunities for collaboration and investment in grassroots initiatives will not be overlooked and the doors to possibility for our underprivileged
children remain wide open,” he said.
Asked for the reasons for pulling support of the games, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture spokesperson Nathi Olifant said the decision was made by the provincial government and he could not give an official comment on the matter.
Attempts to obtain an official comment from the KZN government's head of communications, Bongi Gwala were unsuccessful at the time of going to print.