This is an annual event organised to encourage healthy lifestyle for the elderly. Participants competed in various sport codes such as soccer, athletics, jakskei, ball pass & kick, relay, ring the stick, and brisk walking. The Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Councillor Nyiko Baloyi and the MMC for Community Services, Mikateko Shimange-Fazi attended the games. MMC Baloyi told participants that “participating in physical exercises keeps our bodies and minds healthy. From here we must go and encourage our grandchildren to follow suit because sport assist to fight diseases and keeps our grandchildren out of petty street activities.

The municipality will provide the necessary support.” One of the participants, Florence Shingange (56), from Mafarani Village in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality indicated that participating in sport helps her to forget family problems.  Also read: GALLERY: Golden games a ball for senior citizens

 Shingange won the 400m brisk walking competition “I am happy that I have won. I have been doing this for more than six years now, it helps me to forget about stressing family issues and keeps me healthy.

In fact I enjoy and love what I am doing,” said Shingange. Terrence Selepe (66) from Letaba local municipality who won the 800m race had this to say “I play football with local boys at my age, I have never stopped playing football since my primary days. Sport is my only hobby because I don’t smoke and drink, basically it’s what keeps me busy.” All winners of all competitions at the district level will proceed to participate at the provincial golden games which are scheduled to take place from the 12th to the 13th of September.

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