Sport more than a game: Manuel

KEETMANSHOOP, 23 SEP  – Sport is more than a game, it is a big sector that can contribute to national development, Deputy Director of Marginalised People and Women in Sport under the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, Jo-Ann Manuel said.
She was speaking at the inaugural //Kharas Governor’s Cup here on Saturday, adding that sport can be used as a tool to fight ailments such as HIV, tuberculosis, high blood pressure, obesity and many more.
“Sport can also be a tool to bring down the high unemployment rate in the country, especially among the youth.”
Manuel said //Kharas has great sport potential that needs to be tapped and expressed the ministry’s hope that such efforts as the Governor’s cup will help uncover regional sport gems from the most rural areas of the country.
“Gone are the days where national teams were made up of athletes from major urban municipalities and towns,” she added.
Manuel noted that Cabinet recently approved the categorisation of sport codes of which netball, soccer and rugby have been categorised as national sport codes.
“We expect national sport codes to branch out to all 14 regions and all constituencies. The development of sport cannot be left in the hands of Government alone. Hence, we request all corporate bodies to come on board and support national and regional teams,” she pleaded.
//Kharas Governor, Lucia Basson said her office remains committed to youth and sport development at grassroot levels.
“I have come to the realisation that sports, especially football and netball, are declining in performance and capacity when it comes to podium places in national sports events. We want to see the prestige and performance of the region return to its old glory days in winning trophies and having representation in our national teams,” Basson said.
The tournament aims to create an opportunity annually for the two respective sport codes to select regional teams that would at all times be battle-ready for inter-regional, national and international sporting events. Furthermore, it aims to address the social ills in the region and to create opportunities for the youth to showcase their talent and develop healthy lifestyles.
The two-day event ends Sunday. – NAMPA