LIMPOPO – In a proactive effort to encourage active participation in sports and cultivate young talent, the Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM) equipped several youth teams with sports equipment and kits during the final games held at Homu Stadium on Saturday, as part of its ongoing sports development programme.

Over the past few months, the municipality has been actively organising sports activities at the ward level. These grassroots competitions aim to identify and develop the most promising local teams by assessing their skill, commitment, and potential.

Top-performing teams from each ward progress through various stages of the programme and eventually qualify for municipal support, which includes receiving essential sports gear. This forms part of a broader municipal strategy to promote sports development across its wards.

According to sports portfolio head Christina Zitha, the programme targets youth, typically from the age of 13, across different sporting codes and supports them over a structured three-year period.

“We identify specific groups of young athletes from various sports, usually starting at age 13, and groom them for three years before taking in a new group,” Zitha explained. “Throughout this period, we ensure they have all the necessary kits and equipment to help them train and compete effectively.”

She explained that one of the reasons the municipality only supports winning teams is to ensure that only deserving teams receive assistance.

“We don’t just hand out equipment to any team. We want to be sure that they are committed,” she said.

“That’s why we organise competitions in each sporting code to identify the top three teams, which we then support with gear and other sports resources.”

The programme caters for a wide range of sporting disciplines, including soccer, netball, volleyball, tennis, golf, cricket, and rugby. Zitha noted that by the end of the three-year cycle, athletes are expected to be equipped with both skills and confidence to pursue their sporting goals.

“By the time they complete the programme, those with specific talents will have been identified and nurtured,” she said, adding that winners from Saturday’s event will receive additional support based on their most urgent needs.

“This initiative not only provides tangible support but also serves as a motivational platform, inspiring young people to take sports seriously while promoting community engagement and healthy lifestyles,” she added.