Gauteng Provincial Team at Golden Games posing with their trophy
By Gavin Motholo
- The Gauteng Older Persons demonstrated their resilience and athletic abilities by securing third place in the National Golden Games, held in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
- The event, held from 20 to 23 March, brought together senior citizens, athletes, and choirs from all nine provinces, celebrating the indomitable spirit of the elderly and promoting the Active Aging Program.
- Choir performances added a musical touch to the celebrations, fostering camaraderie among participants and highlighting the enduring bonds forged through the Games, with teams like Gauteng demonstrating exceptional dedication and securing first place in the soccer category, contributing to their impressive third-place finish overall.
The proud Gauteng Older Persons won third place in the National Golden Games that took place in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. These games were held from the 20th to the 23rd of March and brought together senior citizens, athletes, and choirs from the nine provinces. The annual event celebrates the resilient spirit of the elderly and demonstrates their abilities while also honouring the Active Ageing Programme.
The resonance of choir performances provided a musical touch to the celebrations, acting as a unifying force through the power of song. Participants formed long-lasting friendships as a result of their involvement in the Golden Games, demonstrating the unwavering spirit of human endeavour that defines this event. This year’s games have been extremely exciting, with anticipation building, particularly around the soccer games.
Despite facing tough challenges, teams such as Gauteng remained confident. Coach Abel Levuno said, “We came prepared for these games, and we want to defend our trophy.” His firm statements echoed the thoughts of the entire Gauteng women’s soccer team as they prepared for a fierce struggle on the pitch.
True to their coach’s words, the Gauteng women’s team demonstrated absolute dominance, winning the coveted first place in the soccer category. Their outstanding performance surpassed expectations, driving Gauteng to a respectable third place overall in the Games. The squad manager, Kidibone Mofube, reflected on their success, saying, “This victory is a testament to our hard work and dedication.
It’s a proud moment for everyone.” Such comments resonated with the athletes, whose unrelenting dedication had paved the way to success. Mofube said, “Winning this trophy provides us with more inspiration to continue our efforts to encourage active ageing”. It demonstrates the strength of unity and determination, and I am pleading with all old people to take this initiative seriously and join to keep fit and healthy.”
Picture by Gavin Motholo