African Games in Bloemfontein
18 September 2007
Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in partnership with the
Eastern Cape Academy of Sport are sending out Team Eastern Cape to the South
African Games. The team comprised of 32 athletes and 125 support staff
including coaches, sign-language interpreters, team managers, team doctors,
medical staff and chef-de-missions. The games are to be held in Bloemfontein's
Siesa Ramabodu Stadium from September 24 until 28 September.
The South African Games are meant to prepare young athletes for the Olympic
Games as the same procedures are used as the Olympic Games - the games are also
to promote nation building and to instil cross cultural interactions amongst
young people. The selection for the Team Eastern Cape was done as early as
September 2006 at the South African Games held in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University. The Eastern Cape Academy of sport took the athletes through
fitness, psychological and nutrition programmes to ensure that the team is
physically and mentally prepared.
Thirteen sporting codes are involved and participants already are showing
enthusiasm and competing for position in the provincial team. The Eastern Cape
province has invested R2,9 million in team Eastern Cape, taking care of
training camps, fitness testing, step-out gear, playing kits, transport, meals
and accommodation.
The final camp for the team will be held in Aliwal North on 22 September
2007. The MEC will then present the gear as well as her well wishes to the team
before their departure to Bloemfontein.
Issued by: Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Eastern Cape
Provincial Government
18 September 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdsrac.gov.za)
