MBOMBELA – When it comes to preparation for the National Indigenous Games Festival in Polokwane, Team Mpumalanga is looking good to bring home the top prize.
The team has ticked off almost all the boxes that produce champions. The men and women who will represent the province at the tournament have been selected and are ready for the big battle. The team was selected on July 23 at Badplaas Forever Resorts. “We are happy with the team as it features a mixture of youth and experience and also it represents the demographics of the province, “ explains the department of culture, sport and recreation spokesperson, Sibongile Nkosi.
Before the battle, the team will come together for a training camp, which will be held from 20 to 23 September at Blyde Canyon Forever Resorts. The aim of the camp is to finalize battle strategy on how to conquer the other provinces in diketo (coordination game), dibeke (running game), khokho (running game), morabaraba (board game), incuva (board game), jukskei (target game), kgati (rope-jumping), intonga (stick fighting) and drie stokies. After the training the camp, the team will head to Polokwane where they will do battle for honours in the six-day tournament. “We are always out to improve on standing at the national finals and this year will be no different,” says Nkosi.
Indigenous Games are used in promoting cultural activities that have a particular appeal to vast sectors of the South African community – young and old, black and white. It goes without saying that they are more than a recreational sport as they play a pivotal role in promoting national unity and social cohesion. “There’s no better way to honour the memory of Stofile than to make this year’s tournament the best yet,” concludes Nkosi.
Enquiries: Sibongile Nkosi on 082 492 4886/013 766 5372 or nkosist@mpg.gov.za