Pupils' sporting chance
SIYANQOBA community sports development will be hosting an indoor sporting exhibition in the Motherwell Sports Centre on Saturday, that will include indoor rowing, athletics, cycling and swimming.
This development started back in 2009 with 10 children, who participated in cycling. In 2010 they formed a swimming club and later expanded to include athletics. Last year the NMMU got involved in their rowing sport.
They have 93 cyclists, 35 participants in swimming and running from different schools in Motherwell and 13 participants from Kwazakhele.
Founder Yster Xatasi said: "We started this as a small programme. We are now involving other provinces as well, because we saw our development has grown big in the metro."
NMMU's Learn to Row programme, which is funded by the national lottery, aims to identify and nurture talented township rowers.
"We want to promote the sport of rowing in the townships," said NMMU Rowing Club development and transformation officer Mteteleli Biko.
Biko added that NMMU already assisted with coaching at Grey and supported talented rowers from development squad ZRC (Zwartkops Rowing Club) by providing opportunities for them to participate at higher levels – and planned to continue coaching the most promising rowers from the Learn to Row programme.
The youngsters in their early to late teens – are all members of Siyanqoba Sports Commu nity sports development in Motherwell.
Xatasi said they have invited all school children to come and participate in the weekend event. "For those who don't have, we will provide bicycles and food. T-shirts and medals will also be handed over."
The event runs from 8am till late. Xatasi aid he hoped pupils will take advantage of the opportunity.