THE Chris Hani District Academy of Sport was officially launched at Queen’s College Boys’ High in Komani on Friday, February 14.
The facility, spearheaded by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in conjunction with the EC Sport Confederation, EC Academy of Sport and Queen’s College, is set to provide high-end gym access for selected high-performance athletes and groups.
The majority of the programmes will focus on athlete support, talent identification, coaches’ education, sports science and medical support services.
The Eastern Cape Sport Confederation will assist in monitoring the daily operation of the gymnasium and will provide scientific and logistical support to the academy.
Sport administrators in the Eastern Cape are hopeful that the newly launched academy, that will act as a feeder to provincial academy programmes, will serve as an incentive to keep local talent in the region.
EC Sport Confederation spokesperson, Mkululi Magada, said, “We will identify promising athletes predominantly from disadvantaged areas to study at Queen’s College. We will furthermore monitor their progress in their respective sports codes.”
According to Queen’s College Headmaster, Janse van der Ryst, the college provides the opportunity for individuals to reach his full potential in a caring and disciplined environment, while equipping him to meet the changing demands of modern society.
