Social cohesion through sports
Pupils from schools all over the country including KZN competed in sporting codes such as basketball, wheelchair basketball, cricket, gymnastics, rugby, softball, table tennis and goalball.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) recently hosted the Summer National School Sport Championships (NSSC) in Gauteng.
The championships were held in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
Pupils from schools all over the country including KZN competed in sporting codes such as basketball, wheelchair basketball, cricket, gymnastics, rugby, softball, table tennis and goalball.
Indigenous games such as kgati and morabaraba were also played during the championships.
DBE’s Sport and Enrichment in Education Directorate Bongani Zondi said a healthy mind houses a healthy body.
“As such, the DBE believes that sport can assist pupils in producing better academic results, whilst reducing stress levels. It has been proven that pupils who perform well academically, also do well in sports. Participating in school sports can improve self-esteem and help learners feel better about themselves. The self-confidence children gain from participating in sports and physical education carries over to other areas of their lives, such as academic studies and personal relationships. Many adolescents are angry and resort to abusing their peers through bullying. One of the best ways of managing anger and frustration levels, and keeping them in check, is through participation in sports. This also creates an opportunity for learners to enhance camaraderie and social cohesion, whilst engaging in positive competitive behaviour,” said Zondi, adding that sports in the school curriculum help children from a young age in many ways, from developing their social skills by making friends and learning how to deal with conflict and avoiding social ills, to celebrating shared success with others.
He said team sports provide an opportunity for learners to practise working together towards a common goal, whilst helping them to develop leadership skills.
He added that school sport also provides opportunities and platforms for children to develop their talents to reach higher levels of professional achievement.
“The championships provided an opportunity for many learners to integrate culture and tradition into the games. This is an opportunity for young sporting talent to be identified, mentored and coached for them to become future players and ambassadors for local and international teams,” he added.
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