Old yet they are winning gold
The elderly of Mogale City made the city and district proud at the Golden Games.
The first ever interprovincial Golden Games were held back in 2008 and hosted by the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
As far as the West Rand was concerned, Mogale City had 20 participants taking part.
Back then, the Active Aging Program began as the Golden Games which is a program consisting of various sports codes and recreational games such as soccer, athletics, Jukskei, duck-walk, goal shooting, rugby ball throw, pegging washing, ring the stick, ball relay, ball pass and kick, passing the ball, brisk walk and dress up race.
These activities are put together for senior citizens who should be 60 years and older. From December 5 to 7 2022 Gauteng Province hosted the Golden Games at the Germiston Stadium. The games are sponsored by the Department of Social Development (DSD).
While Joseph Kgang, Matthew Modise and Peter Merafe, Dries de Jager, Alpheus Motloba, Henry Moloke, Jerry Pooe, Fanuel Molokele, Diana Kgang Lungile Nkosi, Lillian Modise, Dipuo Moreosele, Anna Modise, Josephine Ndhlovu and Flora Munjedzi all placed first in Gauteng on a provincial level, nationals proved to be bit tougher.
Dries de Jager placed first at nationals for Jukskei, and Fanuel Molokele also placed first in brisk walk at nationals. The competition was tough but the group of elderly athletes express how they enjoyed themselves, “This is very important for us and our health since we try to maintain living healthy,” said Joseph Kgang.
“We urge all older persons to participate in the games, as this can lower the risks of heart diseases, high blood pressure, stroke diabetes and you become physically, socially and mentally fit,” he said.
The eldest of the group, Flora made it clear that she is not only the oldest of the group but that she was the oldest athlete in the 800m. The elderly can join in at Kagiso Stadium from Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 09:00.
