THOHOYANDOU - In a historic move, the South African sports fraternity received a big boost, when the first group of 54 Sports Coaching and Management course graduates received their certificates from the Centre of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sports Science of the University of Venda for Science and Technology (Univen) on Friday.

Most of the graduates of the one-year course are respected sports personalities and educators who made significant contributions towards the development of sports in South Africa.

The Vice President of SAFA’s Limpopo East Region, Mr Paul Netshilindi, said South Africa is still facing a big shortage of professional sports coaches and managers. He said he is confident that this first group of graduates will use their skills to improve the standard of sports in the country. He also stressed the importance of sports, both in the educational and social spheres.

On behalf of the Executive Management of the University of Venda, Prof Xikombiso Mbenyane congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to work hard in the improvement of South African sports.

“As the first group to get certificates in this course, we hope that, through the knowledge you gained, you will be the ambassadors to market our programs so that we may continue to teach other sports personalities who are without professional qualifications.”