The Eastern Cape Indigenous Games team made history in KwaZulu-Natal in this year’s South African National Indigenous Games Festival by coming in third place for the first time in the history of the games.
The Eastern Cape team came home with nine medals after victories that included two gold medals in Drie Stokkies and iiNtonga, four silver medals in Jukskei and a silver in iiNtonga. The team also got a bronze in Murabaraba.
A total of 128 people from the Eastern Cape travelled to the National Games, which included 120 players and eight supporting staff members, technical officials and managers.
Eastern Cape Indigenous Games Association President, Nkosinathi Biko who also hails from Cradock in the Chris Hani District, said he was proud of the team.
“I am very proud of each member of this wonderful team who made the decision to participate in these unique games. I know that the players face challenges every day and there is a lot of pressure to get involved in activities that their friends are doing. They have each made a positive decision to participate in these games and to use their time after school to develop their talents. They must know they are all role-models to their friends and other youth in their communities and I want to thank them for that,” said Biko.
The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in the Eastern Cape has supported these athletes as they develop their skills in the games that they love. MEC Nonceba Khontsiwe also congratulated the team.
This year the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture worked in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Sport, Arts & Culture and the Ugu District Municipality in hosting the SA Indigenous Games Festival at Ugu Sport and Leisure Centre in Margate.
