The preparations for the 2013 Golden Games in Vhembe started in all the local municipalities last week.

In the Makhado Municipality, the activities were held at the Makhado show grounds on Friday. The elderly, male and female, took part in the qualification trials in games such as duck walk, passing the ball, jukskei, ball relay and ring the stick. To qualify to participate in the games, the athletes must be 60 years and older.

“This activity forms part of the National Golden Games which are held annually in a selected province,” said one of the facilitators in the Makhado Municipality, Ms Grace Ramabulana. She added that these games served to create awareness of the abilities and capabilities of older persons in recreational activities and sport. “The elderly need to exercise to keep healthy at all times," she said.

The district games will be held on 14 June at Lesley Manyathela Stadium in Musina. The event will start at 09:00.

“Some of the participants are persons who do not have access to gymnasiums, so this project helps them a lot,” said Ramabulana. The National Golden Games will be held from 25-28 October. The hosting province or venue is still to be announced.