2 February 2009
The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is pressing
ahead with its plans to bring fun back into school sport. And judging by the
large turnout at the launch of the School Sport Mass Participation Programme
(SSMPP) at the Odi stadium in Mabopane last week, it seems as if half the
battle is won.
Speaking at the launch, MEC for Sport Barbara Creecy said a lot was expected
from the programme.
"This is a day where we celebrate the process of rekindling the culture of
sport. Out of the 180 000 learners participating in this project we should be
able to produce some world class athletes who will represent the province in
national tournaments and subsequently compete for the country in the world
stage of sporting events.
"This program intends to identify talented and skilled learners who will be
supported in the competitive sports events. Learners are also encouraged to
embrace healthy lifestyles through this project. Schools are encouraged to
foster a culture of mass participation by all learners and not just a select
few," said Creecy
According to Creecy, the SSMPP, a joint initiative between the sport and
ducation departments, was started in 2006. The number of participating schools
has jumped from 96 schools then to 300 schools today.
The schools in the project are identified from economically disadvantaged
rural communities across the province. The SSMPP project employs 319 school
sport assistants in each of the participating schools who implement the
programme. They assist in providing coaching techniques to the learner in the
various sporting codes.
Creecy commended the partnership with the department of education saying the
relationship was borne out of co-operative governance and quality service
delivery to the youth in the province.
It is envisaged that the SSMPP will work very closely with the Mass
Participation Programme (MPP) that runs in the 50 hubs across the province.
The MPP implements sporting, recreational and arts and culture codes and
projects in recreational facilities located in community centres.
"The partnership between SSMPP and MPP will ensure greater utilisation of
physical facilities, additional human resources and better implementation of
services rendered," said Creecy.
The MEC for sport called for all to embrace the programme to make it a
success.
"This project has to be embraced by learners, parents, sporting codes,
communities and government officials to ensure its success. Government is
investing in its youth and therefore securing its future growth and development
in the socio-political arena," concluded Creecy.
Issued by: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng
Provincial Government
2 February 2009
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gpg.gov.za)
