More than 1000 athletes, coaches and medical and support staff left yesterday to fly the province’s flag high in the third SA National School Games Championships in Gauteng.
Hendrikse, a senior manager for recreation and school sport in the province, added: “The other important point to highlight is that through these games, we are trying to address the transformation agenda as it gives opportunities to rural and township kids.”
The games objectives include promoting social cohesion, nation-building and enhancing pupils’ academic performance.
“To achieve the latter and to promote school sport in the province, there was a task team of officials from the Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts and culture and the department of education,” said Hendrikse.
He urged the athletes not to put too much pressure on themselves as this was also about fun. “Above all kids must have a good time.”
Assembling the team has not been smooth sailing.
Some schools had to be disqualified and replaced with new ones due to age-cheating.
Another challenge was that very few schools had all the 18 codes.
Also, said Hendrikse, the timing of the games was not the best as it came just after exams which meant that pupils did not have enough time to train.
A fleet of 28 buses departed from Aliwal North last night for the Pretoria festivities today.
Hendrikse urged schools to register early next year in January to ensure they would be eligible for selection in the 2015 edition of the games.
Athletes on a quest for championship glory
Hendrikse, a senior manager for recreation and school sport in the province, added: “The other important point to highlight is that through these games, we are trying to address the transformation agenda as it gives opportunities to rural and township kids.”
The games objectives include promoting social cohesion, nation-building and enhancing pupils’ academic performance.
“To achieve the latter and to promote school sport in the province, there was a task team of officials from the Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts and culture and the department of education,” said Hendrikse.
He urged the athletes not to put too much pressure on themselves as this was also about fun. “Above all kids must have a good time.”
Assembling the team has not been smooth sailing.
Some schools had to be disqualified and replaced with new ones due to age-cheating.
Another challenge was that very few schools had all the 18 codes.
Also, said Hendrikse, the timing of the games was not the best as it came just after exams which meant that pupils did not have enough time to train.
A fleet of 28 buses departed from Aliwal North last night for the Pretoria festivities today.
Hendrikse urged schools to register early next year in January to ensure they would be eligible for selection in the 2015 edition of the games.
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