Taking it to the extreme: BMX stunts in Berea

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Sport in the inner city

Sports plans for the holidays SPORTS days have been planned for inner city youngsters, to keep them fit, healthy and off the streets this holiday season. November 15, 2005 By Rose Setshoge NOT only will sports keep the inner city's youngsters fit, healthy and off the streets this festive season, but it will also give them an opportunity to socialise. Region 8's sport and recreation department aims to take sports to the people living in the inner city. It established the Team Sport Project Region 8 to encourage youngsters to participate in sport and recreation activities. Demonstrating BMX skills Now in its third year, the annual sports project includes a 10km race, chess, BMX stunts, mini soccer, volleyball, netball and table tennis. Events take place on 19 November at Alec Gorshel Park, on the corner of Joel and Fife streets in Berea; on 10 December at the corner of Soper Road and Fife Street in Berea; and on 24 December at the corner of Kotze and Claim streets in Hillbrow. The days start at 6.30am. These streets will be closed on the days and metro police will control traffic. Nine netball teams from Berea and Hillbrow have registered to participate; four are junior, three are senior and two are mixed gender. Ronaldo Stars team will perform the BMX stunts. Jesus is the Good Shepard, a soccer team made up of children from the shelters and streets, will play as well. The team practises two to three times a week, and the department will provide soccer gear. Informal meetings are being held with Region 8's sport clubs to promote the project and to encourage youngsters to train. Posters have also been put up. "The activities are meant for fun and social purposes. There is no sponsorship so there are no prizes," said Tsakane Mushwana, the co-ordinator. Team Sport Project Region 8 incorporates campaigns such as Sport Against Crime and HIV/ Aids awareness. The Esselen Clinic in Hillbrow will hand out leaflets about HIV/Aids and condoms on the sports days, and mini educational sessions are planned. The South African Police Service plans to take the opportunity to urge youngsters to report crime. Region 8 residents can register to take part free of charge at the offices of the sport and recreation department at the corner of Soper and Tudhope roads in Berea. For information, contact Philemon Mokgesi on 011 274 4800. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za