Local sports leaders gathered at the Orange Farm Multipurpose Centre on Sunday for a special engagement aimed at finding solutions to the challenges facing sport in the community and electing a new Orange Farm Sports Council.
Representatives from different sporting codes attended the meeting, where discussions focused on rebuilding local sport through stronger leadership, better governance, stakeholder collaboration and increased opportunities for athletes.
One of the key concerns raised was the impact of the demolition and ongoing reconstruction of the Chris Hani Sports Complex, which has left many sporting codes without a suitable venue.
Newly elected Orange Farm Sports Council chairman Thato Tsotetsi said the loss of the facility has severely affected local sport.
“The biggest challenge we are facing is the demolition of the Chris Hani Sports Complex. Before construction started, the complex was home to cricket, rugby, basketball, athletics and golf. Today, many of these sporting codes have either stopped functioning or are forced to train in schools and other unsuitable and unsafe spaces. This has had a huge impact on sports development in Orange Farm,” said Tsotetsi.
Another major outcome of the meeting was the restructuring of the Orange Farm Sports Council. Tsotetsi said the new leadership aims to create a stronger organisation that will support local federations and clubs while creating more opportunities for athletes.
“Our goal is to strengthen the Sports Council by bringing in people who are committed to helping clubs and federations showcase the talent we have in Orange Farm. We want to revive sport in the community by creating more activities and working together with all stakeholders,” he said.
The newly elected council has committed itself to promoting unity among all sporting codes, strengthening relationships with stakeholders, restoring the credibility of the Sports Council, and ensuring professionalism and integrity in its work.
Tsotetsi also announced that the council will introduce a new system requiring all sports clubs and federations to register as Non-Profit Companies (NPCs), making them eligible to apply for grants and sponsorship opportunities.
He said local sports organisations had already shown their support by participating in the election of the new committee and that the wider community would be involved through future meetings and engagements.
Tsotetsi concluded by calling on everyone involved in local sport to work together.
“I call upon all sporting codes to work together in the spirit of unity, mutual respect and collective responsibility. The success of the Sports Council will depend on the commitment of every member. As the new council, we are committed to working together to ensure that our community enjoys the best sporting activities once again.”
The newly elected Sports Council hopes its action plan will help restore Orange Farm’s sporting culture and provide young athletes with better opportunities to develop and compete.
