​Diski Queen and Captain of Ubuntu Queens, a female soccer team for Older Persons based in Ivory Park, says she is ready to face tough opponents at the upcoming National Golden Games to take place next week, from 17 to 21 February 2025 in Rustenburg, North West Province.
The 64-year-old Nomonde Nolokwe affectionally known as 'Ronaldo' in the field of play says she is proud to represent Gauteng adding that their participation in different sporting codes at the games will be victory for all senior citizens in the province.
Gogo Nolokwe said she feels excited about the games and wants to encourage older persons to participate in active ageing activities and use the social grant money to eat healthy.
"As a team, we play regularly during weekends. We participate in a league in Tshwane, and we undergo training sessions three (3) times a week. I believe the team is physically and mentally ready to showcase their talent, we have improved our skills on the pitch, tackling the ball and building stamina," she said.
The Department of Social Development will host the annual National Golden Games for older persons in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Department of Health, and Older Persons Forum.
The Golden Games promote active ageing and socialisation amongst older persons and are held in line with the International Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing which encourages new approaches to ageing policies and programmes in order to promote a society for all ages.
During the games, older persons from all nine (9) provinces will display their talents in various sports, indigenous games, and fun games and showcase traditional and cultural activities.
The Golden Games started at a local level, then graduated to district and provincial levels and culminate into national competition.