THE much-anticipated Ward 31 Community Games are set to return on Saturday, June 15, and continue until Monday, June 17 at Tills Cresecent Grounds, 53 Felix Dlamini Road, promising to be a beacon of unity and sporting excellence. This annual event, encompassing the communities of Sydenham, Asheville, Overport and Musgrave, aims to bring together residents from all walks of life, fostering social cohesion, creating a sense of belonging through the universal language of sports and celebrating sporting excellence.

According to Ward 31 councillor Remona Mckenzie, the Ward 31 Community Games were conceived with a clear vision: to promote healthy competition, encourage community participation and provide a platform to recognise and honour local sporting legends. “Our guiding principle, ‘A child on the court is a child out of court,’ underscores the importance of engaging youth in positive activities to keep them away from negative influences,” she said.

“Building on the success of last year’s event, which saw an impressive turnout of over 2 000 attendees, this year, we anticipate an even larger crowd. With a potential 2 000 athletes participating, we expect the total attendance to be in the region of 8 000 to 10 000 people. The games will feature a combination of different sporting codes, including volleyball, hockey, basketball, rugby, soccer and, for the first time, dance sport, which will be conducted in a competition style. Keep an eye on our social media channels for details on how to enter the dance sport competition, which has already begun and will culminate on the event day,” said Mckenzie.

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Councillor Remona McKenzie expressed her delight at the initiative, stating, “I am very pleased with such initiatives because they align perfectly with our overall ward plan of fostering unity and ensuring a safe environment, especially for our kids. The team has worked tirelessly in delivering what we expect to be a great community event. I encourage our residents to participate in a fun-filled family day!”

Easlyn Young, the portfolio leader for sports, arts and culture, shared her excitement ahead of the big event, saying, “This is the second year of such events, and having worked in this space for 50 years, I am thrilled to finally see the realisation of my dream. These games are not just an event but a stepping stone towards a brighter future for our community.”

The event, set to start from 08:00 onwards, will take place under the close watch of professional security agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment. There will also be medical facilities on-site to cater to the needs of the athletes.

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“In addition to the sports competitions, the weekend will host a series of speaker sessions, featuring a diverse range of voices from the business world, the arts, motivational speakers and professional editors. These sessions will include podium speeches and conversational interviews, offering valuable insights and inspiration to attendees. Schools in the area have been invited to participate, and we are proud to announce the introduction of a school league system following the Community Games. This initiative aims to develop sports and integrate our diverse community further. We are eager to showcase and develop interest in these community facilities and assets, keeping out negative elements and promoting positive community engagement,” said Mckenzie.

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