The City of Johannesburg plans to launch the Soweto Ludo League following the recent successful staging of a Ludo tournament at East Bank Hall in Alexandra.
The Ludo tournaments’ success stemmed from the participation and support from the youth.
“Our objective is to grow the sport of Ludo and with the event we are hoped to attract not only large numbers of participants but sponsors and investors as well,” said Nthabiseng Ramolahloane, the City of Johannesburg’s Sport and Recreation Officer in Region D.
This year’s winner, Victor Hlulane Mokoena from Soweto, dubbed the “Smiling Assassin”, has been practicing hard in preparation for this tournament. He expressed his delight at coming out tops and walking away with the coveted title.
“We are now planning to keep the players busy every week, as we will be launching the Soweto Ludo League. We saw on at the recent tournament that people came in wanting to join the sport. Therefore, we see success for the league in the future,” said Ramolahloane.
She also said that the City wants to grow this sport in other regions such as Orange Farm (Region D), Diepsloot and Rabie Ridge (Region A), so that next time the City can host a huge tournament between the various regions.
Ludo is played in schools, correctional facilities and on street corners of most townships in Gauteng. Since its inception, the sport has become a tool for change, social and active living in most communities because of it being an inclusive sport that has no age limit. The Ludo tournament began in 2016 as a challenge to the people of Alexandra and Soweto to battle it out on the Ludo board. About 190 participants took the stage this year to compete for the championship title. This year’s tournament was justly themed ‘Battle of the Kasis’ as it allowed two of the biggest townships in Gauteng to compete against each other.
Ludo South Africa has grown significantly as a governing body that was first established in September 2009 in Alexandra. This Ludo tournament in Soweto first began in Dobsonville when they challenged the people of Alexandra to battle it out on the board. It has since grown in Soweto with more areas like Phiri, Molapo, Dobsonville and Klipspruit.
Ramolahloane said that instead of a once-off event that erupts every five years depending on funding, the City would like to turn this sport as an annual Ludo League between all the Regions of Johannesburg and hopefully the entire Gauteng province.
Mandla Mdlalose, the Deputy Director Sport and Recreation in the City of Johannesburg, expressed pride on how well the City’s facilities are being used to promote active living and social cohesion within the various communities.
“Not only do we get to see our different communities coming together in creating an active lifestyle for people of all ages, but we also get to see them unite together in friendly competition.”
23/09/2021