Team Mpumalanga gets a send-off function
Province rallies behind Team Mpumalanga.
SECUNDA – The Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation and the Department of Education encouraged Team Mpumalanga on Wednesday, 9 December at Ukhozi Lodge in Secunda.
Team Mpumalanga represented the province during the National School Sport Championships in Tshwane from 11 to 15 December.
Nine provinces competed in 18 disciplines, including several indigenous sporting codes.
The Mpumalanga School Sport Organisation (MPUSSO) representative, Mr Robert Chiloane said athletes should work together for the success of the province.
“There is a strong sense of pride that one feels when talking about Team Mpumalanga, because as a team with a collective purpose, you have already made us proud by making yourself available for Mpumalanga Sport,” said Mr Ockert Stoop, representative from Sasol.
He said Sasol feels proud to be in partnership with the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation as well as the Department of Education.
Mr Stoop said the province believes that the positive spirit that the participants displayed during the previous national tournaments, encouraged them to participate to the best of their abilities and bring back pride to the province.
Dr Henry van Zyl delivered a message of support on behalf of the MEC of Education, Ms Reginah Mhlaule.
Ms Mhlaule said the young athletes have dedicated their time to ensure that they make the Mpumalanga Province proud.
“They have sacrificed many activities to ready themselves through vigorous training sessions, and have chosen not to be diverted by peer pressure which kept whispering in their ears, simply because their passion for life was louder.”
The MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, Ms Norah Mahlangu Mabena, said the province was in a good position to dominate and scoop medals in all the codes at the games.
She further mentioned that the camp has enabled the athletes and technical officials to perfect their tactics and approach, so that they could take the field of play with vigor and determination.
“As the government, we commit ourselves to continue availing opportunities for all of you to participate in the national championships as we want to see our youth leading active lifestyles and being agents for change in their communities,” said Ms Mabena.
