26 August 2008
The MEC for Sport and Recreation, Mr. Amichand Rajbansi was one of the many people who attended the launch of this year's KZN Rugby Union's Talent Identification Tournament together with other sponsors. The MEC is flanked by KZNRU President, Mr. Peter Hassard, and the HOD for Sport and Recreation, Mrs. Sumayya Khan, and Netcare's, Ms. Jessica Schwartzman, on the extreme right of the photo. The other sponsors from left to right: Mr. Bryan Adam of Taiaha Sports, Mr. Omeshnie Naidoo of Clover Dairies and Mr. Yusuf Vanker of Gem School and Sports Wear.
The KZN Department of Sport and Recreation has invested R3 million in the development and upliftment of rugby in the province this year alone.
The figure only relates to monies invested through the programmes of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union (KZNRU). It goes even higher when taking into account other allocations in other initiatives such as community Mass Participation Programme (MPP) and the School Sport Mass Participation Programme (SSMPP) where rugby in also part of the sporting codes.
This Departments huge commitment to the development of sport amongst the formerly disadvantaged communities has been confirmed by the rugby union at the launch of their Talent Identification Tournament for 2008.
The Department of Sport and Recreation provides most of the funds for the intense programmes leading to the major contest.The tournament to he held at Voortrekker High School from 29 August to 31 August is one of the country's top talent identification programmes. More than 300 of the province's best players compete in the Under12, Under 15 and Under 17 age groups.
At this event, talent scouts from all the top rugby playing schools attend to identify players for scholarships. At the end of the games on Sunday, a squad of 30 will be selected. These will then go to an enrichment programme starting in October to February next year. These players are also given preference for participation in other major talent identification tournaments such as the Craven Week, and a number of them have made it through to the big league.
The KZN Rugby Union has attributed the success of their development programme to the good assistance given by the Department of Sport and Recreation.The Union's Business Development Manager, Richard de Jager, said financial assistance by the Department has enabled the Union to employ and train more development officers that work in the townships.
The MEC for Sport and Recreation, Mr. Amichand Rajbansi, re-iterated that talent identification, youth development and setting of targets would be the key for future sport development in general.
"To the KZN Rugby Union, we are pound of you. I know it is money well spent," he said.
The National Minister for Sport and Recreation, Rev. Dr. Makhenkesi Stofile, is still full of praise of what he saw when he attended last year's talent identification tournament in Durban.
For more info contact the KZN Rugby Union -Mr. Richard de Jager - 082 570 5395
The MEC for Sport and Recreation, Mr. Amichand Rajbansi, and the Head of Department, Mrs. Sumayya Khan, are being congratulated by the President of the KZN Rugby Union, Mr. Peter Hassard, at the launch of the this year's Talent Identification Tournament targeting players from historically disadvantaged schools and communities.
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