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federations. The KwaNaloga Games have improved municipal relations, as municipalities can participate together at the provincial level.
It is also evident from the responses in the interviews and the questionnaires that for IGR to succeed, the efficiency and effectiveness of the Games could be enhanced through multi-sectoral structures for consultation and joint decision-making. The respondents expect government institutions to work as a team to achieve service delivery targets.
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that youth get exposure to a wide audience and in the process their talents are developed. From such exposure, some youth are scouted and recruited into such professional clubs like soccer, rugby and athletics. Moreover, the Games also uplift athletes intellectually, economically, emotionally and spiritually. There is evidence of many players who got their breakthrough as a result of the Games and who have had notable and successful sporting careers over the years.
4.6.1.2 Promotion of national sport culture
Sport remains one of the key pillars of youth development because by actively participating in sport, young people are protected from various social ills which impede their development at large. The Games are a single, jointly co-ordinated event which has produced players that have represented the country at national level. The Games have grown and developed into district competitions that are known in every corner of the province. The Games assist the youth and help referees to become properly qualified so that they can make a career out of sport. It is through the Games that the formation of the Junior Leagues that play through the seasons has taken place. These are the structures upon which the selections for the KwaNaloga Games from local and district levels are based. Sport federations are encouraged to flood the KwaNaloga Games with their talent scouts and ensure that emerging talent flows into their leagues.
4.6.1.3 Promotion of social development
The Games have also brought some redress vis-à-vis disparities of the past. By promoting equal opportunities and access to infrastructure, skills and skilled technical
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officials, the Games align with the local government developmental objectives of (1) ensuring the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner, and (2) involving communities and community organisations in matters of local government.
Further to this, the Games embody all the objectives of government, particularly when it comes to ensuring that the poorest of the poor, people with disabilities and women athletes, are afforded the opportunity to participate in sport and recreational events throughout the Province.
4.6.1.4 Promotion of infrastructural and economic development
In the hosting district, upgrading and development of infrastructure takes place in preparation for the Games. Not only are the sporting facilities of the hosting district upgraded, but the local hospitality industry and the tourism sector are boosted too. The financial resources spent in host districts provide an economic injection with spin-offs for local economic development. The KwaNaloga Games leave a legacy of magnificent sport infrastructure as well as various skills among the people and the youth. Therefore, the Games are regarded as a catalyst for sport infrastructural upgrade within the municipalities.
4.6.1.5 Promotion of empowerment and capacity-building
Another best practice of the Games is the empowerment and capacity building that the Games’ organisers undergo – such as the technical managers in their role as sport administrators. The organising of the KwaNaloga Games is a task of such magnitude that participation at a managerial level is taken as record of good leadership and builds
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the self-esteem and confidence of those involved. Planning and co-ordinating skills are acquired by all the districts and federations in the process of preparing district teams.
These skills no doubt go a long way in contributing to the general work environment beyond the Games.
4.6.1.6 Relationship-building and promotion of peaceful relations
Another best practice derived from the Games in the long-term relationships that are built between and among athletes who spend a long time together and interact quite closely. It is not only the participating youth that establish good social relations.
Respondents were of the opinion that over time, the Games have built a culture of tolerance among districts in the province which were previously divided along political lines. Currently, in many instances the political party one belongs to is no longer that important in the organisation of the Games. In this regard, the respondents stated that through the Games, peace has prevailed and there has been reduced political conflict.
4.6.1.7 Promotion of unity
Through the Games, remarkable unity has been witnessed among all municipalities in the Province. This unity has promoted reconciliation, reconstruction, civic pride and above all service delivery in the participating municipalities. The KwaNaloga Games have enabled municipalities to build relationships with communities by upgrading infrastructure and promoting economic development, thus meeting the mandate of district municipalities.
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It can be argued that in the final analysis, the KwaNaloga Games have provided better ways in which the three spheres of government can achieve their objectives. The Games embody all the objectives of government, particularly when it comes to ensuring that the poorest of the poor, people with disabilities and women athletes, are afforded the opportunity to participate in sport and recreational events throughout the Province.
The promotion of social and economic development is one of the developmental objectives of local government. The KwaNaloga Games have become a vehicle for advancing municipal integration and cohesion. They are a testimony to the fact that by working together, much can be achieved in service delivery programmes and projects in the Province.
The Games have served as a perfect platform to establish and sustain progressive partnerships among all participants and stakeholders involved in advancing the municipal mandate. The partnerships emphasised by government departments, and commitment to the development of sport in all wards across the Province, are fundamental to the Games’ success and to the improvement of IGR.
The Games are an ideal opportunity for participants to witness the IGR processes in a relaxed environment, which could be replicated in IGR matters. All three spheres of government have identified sport as one of the key priorities that has to be advanced vigorously. The government departments have a role to further drive the process of
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sport development and transformation in all communities. This has begun with the KwaNaloga Games and can be replicated.