Golden Games: Elderly prove age is just a number
The elderly recently put their fitness to the test after participating in the Golden Games in Greenhills as preparation for provincial and national competitions.
Senior citizens from Mohlakeng and Finsbury took part in the annual Golden Games at the Greenhills Stadium as part of a build-up to the provincial and national games.
The elderly took part in several recreational games, from passing the ball, ring the stick and jukskei to soccer, among others.
“Before the provincial and national games, participants will be selected for the West Rand Regional Golden Games to be hosted in Kagiso on August 1,” said Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Region C co-ordinator Tebogo Mogapi.
According to Nthabiseng Nkosi, also a Region C co-ordinator, the required age group is 60 years and older.
Bafana Mebra Tshabalala, coach of the Rand West City senior citizens soccer team, who once played in the top flight for Vaal Professionals and Blue Bells, said medical records and documents need to be provided to allow the elderly to participate.
“We had limited participation in terms of activities and the number of participants, while soccer has already gone through to the West Rand Games. We are geared up for opponents. Last year, we went through to the Provincial Games where we were treated unfairly, including transport. While we played well in the first game against Sedibeng, where we convincingly beat them, we still lost on penalties against Ekurhuleni. However, this time we hope that both the Social Development and Sports Department will improve the organisational setup,” he said.
