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The National Indigenous Games Festival, hosted by the Department of Sport and Recreation, was officially opened yesterday in Tshwane.

During the send-off on Friday, I encouraged Team Western Cape to not only push themselves to their limits and perform well, but to also ensure that they enjoy the experience.

Players will represent the Western Cape in the inter-provincial tournament in the following indoor and outdoor codes: Dibeke; Diketo; Drie Stokkies; Iintonga; Jukskei; Kgati; Kho-Kho; Morabaraba and Ncuva.

Players were selected during regional Indigenous Games events which took place in Cape Winelands, Overberg, West Coast, South Western Districts and the Metropole earlier this year. One of the objectives of the festival is to revive and popularize indigenous games in all communities as it serves as a vehicle to afford all South Africans an opportunity to become active citizens.

The Indigenous Games reflect the cultural diversity and heritage of our country and is aptly hosted during Heritage Month.

Yesterday, after the opening ceremony a few sport codes began with the competition. Team Western Cape started off strong with the Kho-Kho ladies team beating the Free State province 7.5 to 4.

Today all the codes will be taking to the field with hopes of flying the Western Cape flag high.

Issued by: Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sport