NPO promotes sports in ECD phase
A Roodepoort-based NPO is pushing for more schools to incorporate physical activity into their curricula.
Young Voices Academy and the Department of Sports and Recreation for Region C held a joint Africa ke Rona sports competition at the Roodepoort City Hall on September 21.
The competition consisted of several local primary and pre-primary school teams taking part in a variety of games, designed to promote fitness and fun among the young participants.
The hall was packed to capacity with parents who loudly cheered their little ones on as they participated in the games.
Speakers at the event included the Sports and Recreation Director for Region C, Joyce Jiyane, as well as representatives from the Department of Education and Dorljota Transport Association.
Activities consisted of a ball throwing game, a soccer ball scoring game, bean bag races, a relay race, a bouncy ball race, a sack jumping race, balancing on small buckets, and much more.
The children had a ball of a time participating in the competition, but in the end, there could only be one winner.
Creative Kids Learning Centre from Roodepoort West took top honours, with Little Daisies Daycare Centre from Dobsonville Ext 3 close behind. Teddy Bear Daycare, also from Dobsonville rounded off the top three. According to the founder and executive director of Young Voices, Rapelang Simente, the event was a resounding success.
“We have received so many messages of gratitude from parents and the schools,” he says.
“We had nine schools taking part, seven of which were Early Childhood Development (ECDs) schools and two were primary schools. More than 120 children participated.”
Rapelang said the event aims to encourage ECDs to incorporate sport into their curricula.
“Physical activity is not only fun, it also promotes health, and we want to encourage this among children. Secondary to that, we aim to encourage family values, through parents and siblings supporting their children.”
He adds that they aim to make next year’s event even bigger.