Dutch Minister SCORE's in Hanover Park
While the Dutch fans partied in the streets and turned Cape Town orange as thousands of supporters of the Netherlands national team descended on the Mother City for their final group game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Hanover Park welcomed an orange delegation of a different sort when the community hosted a high profile Dutch delegation led by the Netherlands Health, Welfare and Sport Minister, Mr Abraham Klink.
Hanover Park, an impoverished area on the outskirts of Cape Town notorious for drugs and gang related violence was the unlikely venue for this prestigious visit. Mr Klink’s visit to the community, which forms part of the Cape Flats, was to witness first hand the work being done in the area by SCORE, a South African based Sport for Development organisation that aims to change lives through sport.
The visit is part of the ongoing cooperation between the Netherlands government and SCORE.
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Mr Klink arrived at the Lansport Pitch in Hanover Park shortly after 1pm where he watched the organisation implement its unique holiday programme, the SCORE Cup. Minister Klink eagerly participated in the SCORE Cup New Zealand versus Holland match much to the delight of the crowd.
Stefan Howells, Executive Director of SCORE said, “ The Dutch Government has been extremely supportive of SCORE for many years. We really appreciate that Minister Klink took the time to visit an event that is bringing the excitement of the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ to a community that-though part of Cape Town- is a world away from the stadium. The highlight of the visit was when the Minister joined the local “Dutch team” showing his skills and his commitment to changing lives through sport”.
Imtiyaaz Kader (16) has been a part of the SCORE Cup holiday programme since its start.
“I play the striker and have been doing very well. If there was no SCORE Cup, I would be sitting at home bored. I have made new friends and have learnt how to play different moves and get new skills. I will come back every year,” Kader said.
“I play the striker and have been doing very well. If there was no SCORE Cup, I would be sitting at home bored. I have made new friends and have learnt how to play different moves and get new skills. I will come back every year,” Kader said.
The surrounding community joined in the festivities and the Lansport Senior Club of Hanover Park entertained the crowd with two rousing dance items.
Jasmine Stephens and Pauline van de Rheede from the Lansport Senior Club were ecstatic that the Dutch delegation chose to visit Hanover Park.
Jasmine Stephens and Pauline van de Rheede from the Lansport Senior Club were ecstatic that the Dutch delegation chose to visit Hanover Park.
“Normally we are always left out. This is a big day for us,” said Stephens.
The SCORE Cup was designed to share the excitement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ with ordinary South Africans in the rural and disadvantaged communities in which SCORE operates. The campaign was officially launched on March 31st in Khayelitsha, by the then Western Cape Director of Sport Mr Thabo Tutu, and will culminate in the SCORE Cup finals on June 26th in all participating communities.
The Minister witnessed more than 400 local children and community members taking part in the mini version of the World Cup. The SCORE Cup aims to involve more than 9000 children and youth in more than 45 communities throughout Southern Africa. This unique soccer tournament sees 32 mixed teams (boys and girls) drawn to represent one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ nations. The holiday programme includes extensive life skills training, fun group activities, football coaching and matches that follow the official match schedule.
An eager parent of a participating SCORE “Cupper”, Zubaida Kahaar cheered her son on from the sidelines.
“This is a great event to keep our children safe and off the streets. Gang violence in Hanover park happens daily and we are scared to let our children play on the empty fields. Please SCORE come back and help our children be safe!” she said.
“This is a great event to keep our children safe and off the streets. Gang violence in Hanover park happens daily and we are scared to let our children play on the empty fields. Please SCORE come back and help our children be safe!” she said.
The police were a strong presence at the event and the local Community Policing Forum, Sector 2 were no exception.
“This is a very good thing because it keeps our children away from trouble. We are proud of SCORE and hope that they come back constantly!” said Kashiefa Mohammed, Community Police Forum sector 2 and Hanover Park resident.
“This is a very good thing because it keeps our children away from trouble. We are proud of SCORE and hope that they come back constantly!” said Kashiefa Mohammed, Community Police Forum sector 2 and Hanover Park resident.
