MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation in KwaZulu-Natal has today, 15/05/2021, officially handed over a combination court built by the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation at Intuthuko Special School, kwaHlabisa, Umkhanyakude District.

This hand over is part of the Department’s programme to avail sports and recreation facilities to communities in township and rural areas. The court will be utilised by children from Intuthuko and other neighbouring schools as well as community clubs for different sport codes like netball, volleyball, basketball and tennis.

MEC Mavimbela said the building of quality facilities is an important intervention by the Provincial Government to ensure that talented youth from disadvantaged areas get an opportunity to showcase their talent.

“I am excited to open this facility which is situated at Intuthuko Special School which is a school for children with special learning needs. This facility will benefit our children as it will give them an opportunity to play, because active bodies create active minds. Local clubs and other nearby schools will also benefit from this facility,” said MEC Mavimbela.

“We are working closely with the Department of Education to ensure that our schools have the necessary sport infrastructure since it is where our children spend most of their time. This will also give them an opportunity to showcase talent in different sport codes. Sport is important because it keeps our children occupied and keeps them away from negative activities like crime, abuse of drugs and alcohol. Students also perform better at school when they are active. We also use sport to fight against gender-based violence.”

The Department is also building a number of sport facilities around the Hlabisa area, including a multi-coded sports complex which is currently under construction.

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