KAMHLUSHWA – Scores of Nkomazi sport lovers of different sporting codes converged at KaMhlushwa community hall Sunday, 13 September. They all gathered for the Sports Indaba coordinated by the Nkomazi Municipality and the Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation (DCSR). The main goal of the Indaba was to share information that will lead to effective sport bodies in the Nkomazi region.

Making the presentations was Mr. Paul Mofokeng, the deputy director of sports and recreation. He made clear to the hall that in order for all sport bodies to be active and sustainable, a sports council is needed. Furthermore, the national department of sports announced that every region in the country must have a sports council. This council will be under the watchful eye of the local municipality, but will be affiliates of the South African Sports Council.

“Every municipality must have a sport council that is inclusive of all the sporting codes and has at least two members per sporting code,” said Mofokeng. The council will attend to any issues before the greater sports community gets involved. In addition, the council will be helpful in accessing different sponsorships from businesses. With the council, people will know that the teams or people are from a recognized sports community under the municipality. Mofokeng explained that if the council does not follow the rule of having at least two representatives from each sporting code, it will be ineffective and, in result, be disbanded. If there is a properly functioning sports council, Mofokeng explained, funding can be accessed through the department.

When questioned about the issue of school sports, Mofokeng envisaged that members of school sports’ desks must be included, as the department’s main intention is to involve children in sports.

The Indaba saw the entire house making a resolution to form a sport council. On Sunday it was acknowledged that not all sporting codes were represented, therefore, the formation of the sports council will be at a later meeting on 27 September.

Each sporting code is expected to send two representatives to the meeting on 27 September at 9 in the morning at KaMhlushwa community hall. Failing to do so will lead to representation by people they have not selected or the failure of the initiative.