Top Athletes at District Indigenous Games Head to Western Cape Play-offs | Western Cape Government

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Top Athletes at District Indigenous Games Head to Western Cape Play-offs

19 May 2014

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) hosted District Indigenous Games events in Cape Winelands, Central Karoo and Eden on Saturday, 17 May 2014. Participants from the three districts took part in dibeki, diketo, marabaraba, jukskei, kho-kho, ncuva, Iintonga, kgati and driestokkies.

Just over 100 talented athletes participated in the Cape Winelands event at the Parys Sports Field in Paarl. Many of them represented the Western Cape at last year’s National Indigenous Games held in Pretoria. Maawyah Moerat of Drakenstein Municipality emphasised the importance of indigenous games for social inclusion. “I encourage you to spread indigenous games to your friends and family,” he said.

The Central Karoo event took place in Leeu-Gamka and the Eden event at De Jager Sports Complex in Oudtshoorn. Players from each of the district events go to the upcoming Western Cape playoffs and the best will be selected to participate in the National Indigenous Games Festival in Pretoria later this year. Former Western Cape athlete Sonwabile Fana who represents the province in a co-ordination game called diketo said “the competition is tough but is important to remain focused to retain a spot in the Western Cape team.”

Manfred Josephs at DCAS Sport Development said these events are indicative of DCAS’s commitment to promote and develop indigenous games in the Western Cape. “By taking part in these active and vibrant games, the growing interest by participants adds value to the quality of indigenous games.” The regional Indigenous Games form an integral part of Western Cape Government’s Africa Day celebrations of our province’s rich history and heritage, which unites and strengthen cultural affairs and sport and recreation participation.

Media Enquiries: 

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