The Eastern Cape department of health’s Employee Wellness Programme promoted wellness through sport when it hosted a two day tournament in Grahamstown on 19 to 20 September 2009. The city of saints provided the tournament with a warm atmosphere that the players enjoyed throughout the weekend.
The tournament was hosted in three venues which were Rhodes, Six SAI Battalion playgrounds and JD Ndlambe stadiums and was attended by 26 districts including head office teams. Various sports codes were displayed including soccer, netball, table tennis, pool and darts.
The main objectives of the tournament were to promote physical wellness, team building and health promotion amongst the health officials. Deputy Director of Employee Wellness programme Zola Mxhalisa stated that sport and recreation plays an integral part in physical health as well as promoting healthy lifestyle. “The importance of sport in life is that it introduces people to competitive environment and increases social interaction around players,” Mxhalisa said.
He added that sport is a good source of recreation and enjoyment and provides an opportunity of escaping the daily stress environment.
The Port Elizabeth complex soccer team produced an electrifying football beating the Chris Hani District by two to one in the final encounter of the tournament. The Port Elizabeth complex secured their final victory in the first half of the game scoring two goals and their defence remained solid at the back denying Chris Hani an opportunity to score goals. It was during the second half when Chris Hani managed to penetrate through the Port Elizabeth complex defence scoring at least one goal. It was all doomed and buried for the Chris Hani side and had to settle for the second place in the tournament following the Port Elizabeth Complex who were crowned the championship trophy out of the 26 teams participated.
Meanwhile, the Mthatha hospital complex proved to be the best in darts when they excelled; winning all the games they played throughout the tournament and were also crowned the championship trophy. The results were disappointing for the Bisho head office teams as they only succeeded in table tennis, winning in full set by 21 to nine in the semis and by 21 to seven in the final round beating Grey Hospital.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
22 Septemebr 2009
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za/)
