Eden and Central Karoo Better Together Games Starts off on a High Note

Great weather and camaraderie set the tone for the first 2015 Better Together Games (BTG) held in Oudtshoorn on 2 October. Hosted by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) the games were held in conjunction with National Recreation Day 2015 by the Department of Sports and Recreation South Africa (SRSA).

Participants came from all over the Eden and Central Karoo Districts to attend. There were representatives from the Western Cape Government Departments, District and Local Municipalities in the Eden and Central Karoo, Statistics South Africa, Infantry School, The South African National Defence Force, Correctional Services and the South African Police Service.

Staff participated in a number of sporting codes, including a fun run and walk, soccer, touch rugby, netball and tug-of-war, which was the most popular team sport of the day. Sponsors Nedbank and Old Mutual provided staff with their product information and also handed out freebies.  Refreshments after the run and big walk were supplied by Peninsula Beverages.

Minister Anroux Marais officially opened the games and said: “The Better Together Games is all the more significant as we celebrate National Recreation Day as well. Please enjoy yourselves today and do your best in the sport code you will be participating in.”  

John Stoffels, Deputy Mayor of the Oudtshoorn Municipality, welcomed all the participants and supporters to Oudtshoorn. “Remember you are not here to win, but to enjoy sport” he said during his address.

The remainder of the Better Together Games will take place as follows:

• West Coast Better Together Games on 9 October 2015 in Vredenburg,
• Cape Winelands/Overberg Better Together Games on 16 October 2015 in Worcester, and
• Metro Better Together Games in Stellenbosch on 23 October 2015.