14 March 2009
The Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ms Barbara Creecy,
successfully launched the Gauteng Sports Council at the Coca Cola Park
(formerly known as Ellis Park) in Johannesburg this morning. The event which
was also attended by the Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofilfile included the
unveiling of the administrative section of the sports house and hand over of
sports attire and equipment to the South African Sports Legends.
The aim of the council will be to drive transformation of the sports sector
and to facilitate sport development across the province. It is envisaged that
the Gauteng Sports Council will foster co-operation and build partnerships
amongst all sectors of society that are committed to sport development. The
council will also play a key role in addressing persistent sporting challenges
experienced in the province such as inadequate and insufficient sporting
infrastructure in previously disadvantaged areas and limited direct access to
sporting activities across all sporting codes.
The launch was attended by representatives from various sports development
stakeholders including local, regional and provincial sports councils, schools,
national and provincial federations. âThe launch of Gauteng Sports Council
symbolises much more than the structure that we bring into existence. It
represents the most significant stage in government's commitment to creating a
new drive and momentum to the development of sport,â says MEC Creecy. The sport
house concept in Gauteng will go a long way in ensuring that sport and
infrastructure is accessible to all.
The founding meeting of the Gauteng Sports Council was held on the 13 March
2009. The meeting was a culmination of an in-depth process of consultation that
started with local municipalities; local level sports structures and also
included discussions with South African Sports Confederation and Olympic
Committee (SASCOC), regional structures, provincial sporting federations and
other stakeholders.
The concept of partnership has been crucial in the development of the
Gauteng Sport Council. The membership of the Gauteng Sport Council and key
partners comprises of amongst others, the six regional sport councils-namely,
Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Metsweding, Sedibeng, Tshwane and West Rand Sport
Councils, local municipalities, provincial sport associations and federations
and other sport development structures operating in our province.
The newly elected Executive Committee of the Gauteng Sports Council
represents men, women, people with disabilities and youth who are experts in
the sports sector. They also represent the demographic transformation that
needs to filter through to the entire sports sector.
The council comprises of the following sports administrators James Shabangu,
chairperson, from Johannesburg, Rebecca Morudu, Deputy, from Tshwane, Selinah
Metsing, treasurer, Ekurhuleni, Bennet Mosebi, secretary, Sedibeng and Patrick
Sithole, deputy secretary, Metsweding.
Enquiries:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
Issued by: Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng
Provincial Government
14 March 2009
Source: Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial
Government (http://www.srac.gpg.gov.za/)
