Media Alert: Western Cape to host Shandong Sailing Team | Western Cape Government

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Media Alert: Western Cape to host Shandong Sailing Team

30 March 2015

On Wednesday, 1 April, a sailing team from the Qingdao province in Shandong will be arriving in Cape Town for a week-long engagement with Western Cape Sailing.

The team will be hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), in accordance with an agreement signed between this department and the Shandong province. This agreement was put in place in 2014 in order to create a partnership that will enhance the sporting relationship between these two.

The agreement further provides for an exchange programme between the two countries which will enable athletes to benefit from training and exposure to different sporting codes. This means that athletes from the Western Cape will also have the opportunity to travel to Shandong, to gain experience and to learn from others. In 2014, DCAS sent a football team to China to participate in the Weifang Cup as part of this agreement.

After their arrival in Cape Town on Wednesday, the sailing team will be participating in a number of events in Simon’s Town until Monday, 6 April, when the event will be concluded with a prize-giving. The Vice Mayor of Qingdao will also join the team during the week.

Theuns Botha, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, has emphasised the importance of partnerships in sport. “We need to use all resources in order for us to continue growing sport in the Western Cape. These kinds of partnerships create an opportunity for our athletes to learn new approaches and to hone their existing skills.” he said.

The team from Qingdao will arrive at Cape Town International Airport at 16:25 on Wednesday 1 April. The sailing events will start in Simon’s Town on Friday, 3 April as from 12:00. Media are invited to attend any of the events and a full programme is available on request.

Media Enquiries: 

Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za