As six pairs of little legs race higgledy-piggeldy towards the finish line, a group of excited mothers sing, dance and hoot with pride and enjoyment. This was the scene at JD Dlepu stadium on Friday, when local pre-schools had their sports day.
There were children everywhere, some donning T-shirts which said “Superkidz” and “Playing is fun” on them. Teachers, mothers and other supporters enjoyed the action from the side of the mini 50m race track. The children competed in age groups. Not only did they take part in normal races, but also ones where they had to run backwards and forwards to collect blocks that had been laid out on the tracks, put them in their bucket and race to the judges table. There was never a dull moment as some youngsters didn’t quite understand the concept of staying in their lanes and proceeded to run diagonally across the other lanes. Others were so eager to participate, that they bolted over the start line before the word “go” was out of the starter’s mouth. This elicited more hoots of laughter from the appreciative crowd.
A highlight was the sack races. “Tsiba, tsiba!” (Jump, jump!), shouted a teacher as one girl tried to figure out how to navigate the track with her legs in a bag. Occasionally a vuvuzela would sound or a mother would stick her arms out and run in circles as her child crossed the finish line.
Everyone had a wonderful day. The weather played its part – sunny, with a slight breeze to cool down the participants. The children had a blast and the teachers and parents enjoyed the chance to socialise and have fun with the children, using the opportunity to de-stress. Nolukhanyiso Kelele, a Shaw Hall Preschool parent said, “They’re having a good day, they’re very proud of themselves. One day they’re going to be sportsmen and sportswomen.”
Published in Grocott's Mail on 24 May 2011
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