The City of Cape Town is one of the main partners of the second World Gym for Life Challenge, which will be held in the city in July.
The international event, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 10-14 July 2013, brings gymnasts of all ages from all over the world together. It is held every four years, and this is the first time it is being held in Africa.
A City recommendation to provide financial support amounting to R4.5 million to the South African Gymnastics Federation towards organising the event was approved at a Council meeting on 27 March 2013. This contribution is from Community Services.
Council also approved the implementation of a sustainable community development programme, which is already in operation. Mentors have trained leaders in more than 20 communities, and these leaders in turn train youth and adults on a weekly basis.
The Gym for Life World Challenge is being organised by the International Gymnastics Federation and will complement the World Gymnaestrada, which is also held every four years. More than 2 000 gymnasts took part in the last challenge.
Groups from 21 countries have already entered. The groups will participate with a programme lasting no more than five minutes incorporating any gymnastic element, with or without apparatus, and can be accompanied by music.
A panel of experts will evaluate the groups on their entertainment value, overall impression, innovation, originality, variety and technique. Groups which achieve a gold placing will participate in the Gym for Life Gala Evening on Saturday, 13 July 2013.
According to the organisers, gymnastics contributes to personal health, fitness and wellbeing, and has physical, social, intellectual and psychological benefits. This makes gymnastics one of the largest sporting contributors to global health and wellbeing.
“This event will be complementing the South African national drive for mass participation and we are looking forward to a high standard of performance from our international friends as well as our own teams. Gymnastics for All plays an important role in the South African Gymnastics Federation and we look forward to it becoming a truly universal sport,” says President of the South African Gymnastics Federation Jerry Masia.
The City partnered with the South African Gymnastics Federation to host the Western Cape Gym for Life Challenge in Mitchells Plain on Saturday, 23 March 2013. This was a final qualifier for the championships in July, and saw at least 245 gymnasts from community clubs all over Cape Town competing, vying for the final qualifying spots.
More details about the Gym for Life Challenge will be released closer to the time. For more information, visit the website.
