In a bid to combat obesity, heart disease and gangsterism in certain high-risk areas of Cape Town, the city’s portfolio committee on community services will release a draft policy on sport and recreation programmes for public comment later this month. The goal of the policy is to encourage those living in impoverished areas to participate in sport.
Areas for the construction of sport and recreation clubs would be decided upon based on their levels of social ills, such as gangsterism, and their potential for contributing to community development.
Each club would have a permanent staff complement of three and would be open to the community between 8 am and 8 pm five days a week. Structured sports programmes with measurable outcomes would be conducted for a minimum of three hours a day, with at least one private partnership secured to help sustain said programmes.
Special programmes would also be available for youth, pensioners and those with disabilities.
Photography Rory Keohane/HSMimages.co.za