Musina to play host to municipal games
THOUSANDS of municipal workers from across Limpopo are expected to take part in this year's Inter-Municipal Sport of South Africa (IMSSA) Limpopo games to be held in Musina on May 9.
MUSINA – THOUSANDS of municipal workers from across Limpopo are expected to take part in this year’s Inter-Municipal Sport of South Africa (IMSSA) Limpopo games to be held in Musina on May 9.
The official opening of the tournament will take place at the Musina rugby field at 07:30.
The games are part of a municipal wellness initiative that encourages teamwork, building relationships and keeping municipal workers fit and healthy.
This annual sporting event takes place at provincial level, paving the way for the international tournament known as the Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) games, which take place in September every year.
This year’s SAIMSA games will be hosted by Lesotho from September 18 to 26.
Musina Municipality spokesperson, Wilson Dzebu, said the municipality was proud to host the ninth IMSSA Limpopo games under the theme: “sustaining the unity and well-being of municipal workers”.
He said municipal teams would battle it out in different sporting codes that included soccer, netball, volleyball, angling, golf, table tennis, pool, darts and tennis.
Local organising committee chairperson, Gift Mulaudzi, said it was all systems go when it came to the preparations for the tournament.
“We are on track. We have already identified venues for all the sporting codes. The committee wants to show the community of Limpopo that Musina has the capacity to stage these important games. We extend our deepest gratitude to the IMSSA provincial executive committee (PEC) and the leadership of the Musina Municipality for their overwhelming support.
“The committee also makes a call to all residents to come and enjoy these games,” he said.
IMSSA PEC deputy chairperson, Mihloti Shirinda said she was extremely impressed.
“The Musina Municipality has a lot to offer.
“We do not regret giving them the opportunity to host this important provincial sporting event,” she said.
Shirinda encouraged all municipal employees and other sport lovers to like IMSSA Limpopo’s Facebook page to access more information about the tournament.
IMSSA president, Alpheus “Jomo” Mashamaite applauded the provincial and local organising committees for the sterling jobs done in preparing for this year’s IMSSA games.
“I am happy to see preparations at this advanced level. We haven’t heard of any major challenges so far.
“I hope other municipalities will draw inspiration from this achievement.
“Organising a successful tournament is the responsibility of all of us, not only the organising committees.
“I am convinced that this will be one of the best organised sporting events in the province,” Mashamaite said.
Musina municipal manager, Johnson Matshivha, said there were many benefits to hosting the tournament.
“As thousands of people are expected to visit our town, we predict a positive economic spin-off in terms of local businesses and the hospitality industry,” Matshivha said.
