R1.7m Hand Over to Sport Federations in Eden and Central Karoo

As part of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) annual funding plan for sport and recreation in the Western Cape, on 8 April 2015, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Mr Theuns Botha handed over cheques to the Eden Sport Council and the Central Karoo Sport Council (previously a single entity known as South Western Districts – SWD).

The Eden and Central Karoo sport councils will distribute the funds to their various affiliated sport federations for major events, development, transformation, administration and capacity building.

A total of R1.7 million was handed over, a significant increase on previous years. The event was attended by delegates from various Eden and Central Karoo sport federations as well as the Executive Mayor of George, Charles Standers and Chief Director of Sport and Recreation at DCAS, Adv. Lyndon Bouah.

“This funding assists federations to function from day to day, providing opportunities for people to participate in sport. By doing this, we create a better lifestyle for all,” said Bennett Bailey of DCAS.

The Department also handed over equipment to Central Karoo Netball and other federations to assist them to grow their sports, unearth new talent and become more competitive.

“In the Western Cape, we create opportunity through economic growth,” said Botha. “Sport has become a very important component of improving opportunity and economic growth. We are actively developing and transforming sport so that we can become the best in the country. From there, we aim to compete on the world stage.”

The remaining four handovers will take place on the following dates:

• 13 April 2015 – Overberg Sport Council
• 14 April 2015 – Cape Winelands Sport Council (previously known as Boland)
• 15 April 2015 – Western Province Sport Council
• 20 April 2015 – West Coast Sport Council

Further details of these events will be announced in due course.

Representatives of the media are invited to attend the handover functions. 

Through its partnerships with sport councils and sport federations, DCAS is assisting the people of the Western Cape to become better together through sport and recreation.