The Western Cape province is the 2011 National Golden Games Champions, having beaten all the other provinces hands down, to claim their third championship in three consecutive years.
Held at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Mangaung, Free State, under the theme: “Celebrating Active Ageing”, the games started on 20 October and ended on 21 October. The first (2009) and second (2010) editions of the games were held in Port Elizabeth and Richards Bay, respectively.
Western Cape was crowned the 2011 Golden Games champions, having amassed 539 points compared to 486 of North West, and 474 of the Eastern Cape. KwaZulu-Natal came fourth having amassed 437 points, ahead of Gauteng’s 418; Mpumalanga’s 305; Northern Cape’s 303; Free State’s 274; and Limpopo’s 241.
In officially closing the games, Sport and Recreation Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula, announced North West as the host of the 2012 Golden Games. He urged the youth to take a leaf out of the senior citizens, who participated in the Golden Games by also participating in sport instead of being involved in crime.
He said those who abuse the elderly must be ashamed of themselves and urged law enforcement agencies to come hard on such abusers. Minister Mbalula closed by promising “a bigger and better razzmatazz” in 2012. The games were officially opened by the Free State Premier, Mr Ace Magashule.
The Golden Games are games in which both male and female elderly citizens from the age of 60 and above, participate as part of government efforts towards healthy ageing. The games are led by Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA), and supported by national and provincial departments responsible for social development and health, as well as the provincial department responsible for sport and recreation. The 2011 codes included Soccer, Athletics (800m and 4 x 100 relay), Brisk Walk, Duck Walk, Passing the Ball, Rugbyball Throw, Jukskei, and Goal Shooting.
The 2011 games were preceded by the Annual Forum of senior citizens, led by the Department of Social Development, under the leadership of Minister Bathabile Dlamini.
Enquiries:
Manase Makwela
Tel: 012 304 5017
Cell: 082 782 1759
Western Cape province wins the National Golden Games for the third consecutive year
