The department of sports, arts recreation and culture (DSRAC) recently handed over sport equipment valued at more than R2.5m to more than 800 schools at their head office in King William’s Town.
The occasion saw more than 200 educators attend the handover to collect the equipment.
The department in their 2018-19 policy speech committed to furnishing 100 schools from each of the eight districts with equipment.
Masibonisane Senior Secondary School in Amathole West, under Ngqushwa Local Municipality, said the department’s gesture meant that pupils could now be coached in soccer.
Eastern Cape Schools athletics chairperson Mxolisi Sentse said pupils who did well in the school sports programme could now be identified for inclusion into high performance centres.
These centres train them in their chosen sport and also pay them a monthly stipend.
“One of those talented athletes is Sinesipho Dambile, known as ‘Bolt’, from Dimbaza, who recently broke a 200m record at the 2019 SA School Sport Championships held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality,” Sentse said.
The handover is part of DSRAC’S mandate to develop school sport, especially in previously disadvantaged communities, and encourage school derbies.
DSRAC head of department Mzolisi Matutu said the hand-over was done with the aim of celebrating the centenary of struggle icons such as Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu.
“We are following up on the teachings of our icons, whose centenary is celebrated throughout the year,” Matutu said.
