Issued by: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
MEDIA RELEASE BY THE NATIONAL MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION, MR STEVE TSHWETE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF TWO INDOOR MULTI-PURPOSE SPORT AND RECREATION FACILITIES AT THOHOYANDOU ON 21 NOVEMBER AND QUEENSTOWN ON 23 NOVEMBER 1998
My Department has utilised RDP funding to complete two more multi-purpose indoor sport and recreation facilities, destined for formerly disadvantaged rural areas. Thohoyandou as well as Queenstown have benefited from this initiative.
I will have the pleasure of opening these facilities shortly. It is my belief that the availability of these magnificent facilities will see our young athletes bloom, especially in the Northern Province and the Eastern Cape where prospective athletes have been severely hampered due to a lack of adequate sport and recreation facilities. The newly established indoor facilities will stimulate interest in sports participation in these provinces and I would like to call on all relevant sports federations to utilise the facilities to embark on extensive development programmes, promoting participation in their respective codes. I predict that these facilities and all those erected in the other provinces will result in a significant rise in participation in indoor sports, which will ultimately impact on South Africa's international sports profile.
In the true spirit of reconstruction and development, the facilities are centrally located, allowing easy access and also rendering it very suitable for utilisation as regional sports hubs. Other characteristics that complement the facility, are its accessibility to people with disabilities and its size, which renders it suitable to most indoor sports. Its multi-purpose halls also allow participation by community organisations in arts, crafts, recreational and cultural activities.
It is my sincere wish that the Thohoyandou and Queenstown communities will make their respective facilities their own, that they will enjoy what it has to offer, that it will enhance their quality of life, and that they will protect it against negative elements in society that want to rob our budding sport stars of the opportunity to realise their aspirations towards excellence. I look forward to meeting with the sport starts that will be fostered by this sports complex, in the not-too-distant-future, and I am convinced that the natural talent of our people, combined with the availability of adequate sport and recreation facilities will result in achievements beyond our expectations.
Enquiries: Ms Hloki Sebola Ms Rita Horn Chief Directorate of Sport Project Leader: Facilities Arts and Culture National Department of Northern Province Sport and Recreation Tel: (015) 295-7080 Tel: (012) 334-3180 Fax: (015) 295-2384 Fax: (012) 325-5303 Cell: 082 460 2502
Mr Derek Helm Department of Sport, Art and Culture Eastern Cape Province Tel: (0451) 3064 Fax: (0451) 82079 Cell: 083 807 1372