Delight as Community Kick-Boxing Club Opens in Delft

Many youth in Delft are expected to benefit from a new kick-boxing club opened by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Sports Trust on 11 June 2014.

The event formed part of the efforts of the DCAS Anti-Gang Programme to support young people to develop positive self-esteem and good health by giving them constructive ways of spending their free time. The opening of the club is expected to render the youth of Delft less vulnerable to being drawn into gangs, criminal activity and the use of recreational drugs.

DCAS, the Sports Trust and the Western Cape Provincial Kickboxing Association have assisted the club with equipment and the necessary support to open its doors. Thabo Tutu of DCAS is confident that the club will encourage young people to engage in healthy competition. “This club has the potential to develop the skills of athletes who could eventually become champions on provincial and national level,” he said.

Anita Mathews of the Sports Trust stressed the importance of supporting the initiatives of the Anti-Gang Programme. “These empower the youth and communities to engage in positive sporting activities, which can provide further opportunities and continue to enhance education through sport.”

Under 75kg South African National Junior Kick-Boxing Champion Saint Dumas (17), who hails from Delft, has been appointed as the club’s instructor. He said: “I can’t describe how excited and happy I am today. This club has the potential to change a number of lives. I just want to see champions going from strength to strength from this club.” Classes are expected to run from 18:00 to 20:00 at the Delft Central Sports Ground on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Through the opening of the club, the partners showed their commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of youth in Delft, teaching them self-defence in the process. A similar kick-boxing club will be opened in Velddrif on 12 June 2014.