By Nangamso Mabindla
24 March 2004

Sports minister Ngconde Balfour, in town for the 2nd South Africa Games, visited Gompo township in Buffalo City on Tuesday to hand over sports gear to the local community.

The Gompo hall was packed to capacity as young and old eagerly awaited the arrival of the minister. As he walked on to the hall stage, loud cheers and songs greeted Balfour. On one side of the stage was a huge pile of sporting footwear, donated by sportswear giant Nike as part of its Nike Cares programme.

Balfour officially presented the footwear to the Duncan Village Sports Council, which will distribute the shoes to those most in need in the Gompo community. The footwear will benefit the Duncan Village Sports Council, the township's old age home and various HIV/Aids support groups.

Wearing bright red and blue sports gear, Balfour told the audience, which included Eastern Cape MEC for sports Nosimo Balindlela, Gauteng MEC for sports Mondli Ngungubela and Buffalo City Executive Mayor Sindisile Maclean, he was pleased at the turnout for the presentation. "This shows unity and commitment to sport in this community. We want to have young people taking up sport," said Balfour.

"We heard your cry to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. That is why we put you first on our list when Nike approached us to make this donation. We want you to take sport very seriously as something that will take you out of poverty," the minister added.

Nike Cares Trust manager Jabu Tamme said the company had approached the Ministry of Sports and Recreation for help in identifying communities where the need was greatest. "The ministry told us the Gompo community had applied to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation for assistance. We're happy to be here and make a difference in your lives."

Duncan Village Sports Council member, Kaya Ndyulo, thanked the minister and Nike for "thinking of us in times of need".

"I am very happy that we will now enjoy playing sport, despite any hardships that we may come across. We will give these to the community's sports clubs to use."

Balfour, whose next stop was a boxing match, encouraged the community to attend the various sporting events at the South Africa Games. "Maybe one of your youngsters will be encouraged to participate in the next games and make it to even bigger events, like the All Africa Games and the Olympics," said Balfour.