GEORGE NEWS - One of the goals of the Outeniqua Show Society is to promote and support transformation and development initiatives, says Susan Willemse, coordinator of the annual George Agricultural Show.
"After discussions with various role players, it was decided that sport is one of the best ways to include all the people and fulfil this challenging goal. We started in 2012 with only cycling and tug of war. The next year, powerlifting and jukskei joined and it became clear that all parties were gaining from the partnership."
The vision of the Development Sports Festival, that has since been presented at the annual show, is as the name states, a platform where sport federations have the opportunity to develop their different sporting codes and to promote sport to the wider community of the region. People are invited to visit the different sport stalls and gain information regarding the sport of their choice.
The Show Society joined forces with the Eden Sport Council and the Department of Culture and Sport and they plan to have the following codes at the show from 24 to 26 August:
Tug of war
The SATF Prestige Competition will be hosted on Saturday 26 August from 08:30. Other tug of war teams will participate on Thursday and Friday when schools and two farm worker teams attend and will have the opportunity to be part of this sporting code.
Powerlifting
On Saturday 26 August the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Bench Press Championship will be held.
Powerlifting is one of the sport codes that will be presented at this year's George Agricultural Show.
Bodybuilding and Strongman
Do not miss the Novice Men under 75kg on Friday night at 19:00 and the Strongman on Saturday 14:00.
Golf
This federation will give people the chance to physically take part in the sport, with a hitting net as well as chipping mats. Visitors will have the chance to hit a few balls and enjoy themselves. A small 'pitch and putt' course where visitors will be able to 'play' 3 to 4 holes will give them the opportunity to play a bit of golf. The Golf Federation will have information on their junior and development programmes at hand at the show.
Equestrian
Horse riders are invited to take part in the official horse show on Friday and Saturday. The programme is available on the George Agricultural Show website, www.georgelandbouskou.co.za and stable bookings are open. To promote their sport, the Eden Equestrian Federation plans on having the following at the show: Arab costume classes, stunt riding, polo cross, showjumping, vaulting, therapeutic classes and the very first endurance race.
Cycling
The Jakhals Mountain Bike Challenge starts at 07:00 on Saturday 26 August and will finish on the oval track at the show grounds. This event is part of the Eden XCM. Online entries are open for the 15km, 35km and 55km races on www.cycleevents.co.za.
Dominoes
If you have not seen this before, it is all the more reason for visiting the show on Saturday 26 August to see players compete in this very exciting sport.
Hunting rifle shooting
There will be a stall in the Game Section. There will also be darts, baseball and chess.
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