The Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has noted a series of media statements and social media posts in the past few weeks which decries the state of sporting facilities across the province.
The MEC for Sports Arts and Culture Ms Thandi Moraka, has, since the beginning of the year (2022), undertaken consultative meetings across the province. She met first with the soccer teams playing in the DSTV Premier league. First it was Baroka FC, Marumo Gallens FC and Sekhukhune FC. The second series of meetings were held with Black leopards FC, Polokwane City FC, and Venda Sports Academy.
Almost all of them decried the state of sporting facilities and the inconsistent rates charged by respective municipalities whenever these teams stage their tournaments or practice. The Sekhukhune FC showed how they could not have a home ground in Polokwane far away from their home District and home supporters in Sekhukhune.
The MEC met with the District Municipality and promised to support them in their application for a grant to build a state of art stadium for the Sekhukhune people. The process is unfolding.
The Department thus wishes to correct the perception that it is responsible for building and maintaining sporting facilities and stadiums in the province.
This is far from the truth and opportunistic at its best. The Department, however is responsible for the facilitation that such facilities are there, whereas their presence and continued maintenance lie with the district and local municipalities.
The MEC has thus far set up a team which is assisting municipalities in accessing the ring-fenced Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) from the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). This fund is accessed by qualifying municipalities with the assistance of the Department.
Municipalities that have applied for the 2022/23 financial year include Makhuduthamaga, Elias Motsoaledi, Fetakgomo, Belabela, Modimolle/Mookgopong, Waterberg District, Lepelle-Nkumpi, Mogalakwena and Makhado municipalities. The grant will be allocated to qualifying municipalities that have never benefitted before and are not restricted to stadiums only.
The grant covers upgrades to football grounds, floodlights installation, construction of swimming pools, tennis courts, athletics runways, and many other facilities.
MEC Thandi Moraka has committed to ensuring the coordination and monitoring that all municipalities maintain recreational facilities within their framework and budget scope in the province.
Interactions with professional and organized sports teams continue with the assistance of different sports federation which exists within the province, most of these under the Limpopo Sports Confederation.