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Makhosini Hlongwane

Midlands Correspondent

SPORT and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane has said his ministry has engaged the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing to ensure that land developers leave space for setting up sport and recreation facilities.Hlongwane said he was concerned that land developers were not leaving space for sporting and recreation facilities, a development he said would have a negative bearing on the development of sport.

“We want to come up with an order that will compel all land developers in the country to leave space for sports and recreation facilities. We want the developers when they come with their master plans to have spaces for swimming pools, football pitches and theatres, among other amenities,” said Hlongwane.

“The absence of such facilities in the new housing projects will have a negative impact in the growth of sport in the country because it means local clubs in such areas do not have anywhere to play their games and this will kill the abundant talent in the areas.”

He said the government is mulling plans to revive various district clubs in resettlement areas which were once a preserve of white farmers.

Hlongwane said there is need for clubs at community level to register with national sport associations to formalise the sporting system in the country.