17 Sep 2024

The inaugural Letlhakeng District Sports Festival has been described a great success despite teething problems such as shortage of resources.

Speaking at the end of the three-day sports festival, a Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture official in Letlhakeng, Setshego Makgatle said the first edition of the festival was a success despite some challenges, adding that they would use it as a yardstick to ensure future editions were even better.

She was confident that the festival would also encourage physical health and wellness and a sense of sportsmanship in the community, noting the high turnout at the festival.

Going forward, Makgatle said they were already planning for the second edition and that they would introduce and integrate sport training. 

She noted that the training would develop sport administrators, coaches and sports officials.

She added that investing in them would transform their festival to be even professional.

“She said their major challenge was shortage of resources such as transport and accommodation as they were dealing with many teams from Rural Area Development Programme villages. 

An official from the national anti-doping coordinating office, Fredrick Seno said they used the festival to sensitise the community about the risks of using performance enhancing substances such as stimulants, narcotics and steroids.

He said part of their education plan and anti-doping campaign strategy was to target sports festivals in order to preserve the integrity of sport and promote fair play. 

Meanwhile, Black Eagles of Ditshegwane scooped position one in netball while Barutwa of Sorilatholo and Silent Killers of Botlhapatou came second and third respectively

In volleyball ladies, Sundowns of Salajwe came first, Ladies on the move from Moshaweng came second while position three went to Super Kings of Tshwaane.

In the male category volleyball, Dikanono of Ditshegwane emerged champions while Young Stars of Mantshwabisi and Silent Killers of Botlhapatou were first and second runners-up respectively.

In football, Total 1 of Sojwe claimed position one, Golden Brothers of Ditshegwane came second and Paradise from Dutlwe came third. Ends