The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will on Sunday October 28 host a Provincial BIG WALK in Mmabatho as part of a national initiative to promote a healthy lifestyle. Registration is at 06:00 am.

The event comprises 2km, 5km and 10km walks, with the start and end at Mmabatho Stadium. The event is geared towards attracting participants from the ages of 5 to 80, with incentives such as t-shirts and other paraphernalia for the participants.

“The BIG WALK is a non-competitive recreation activity based on the National Sport and Recreation vision that encourages an active and winning nation,” says MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Tebogo Modise. “It caters for all: young and old, people with disability, rich and poor. It aims to encourage active participation in communities, so that they adopt the habit of walking as a form of leisure activity.”

Ms Modise has called on families and health enthusiast to be part of the BIG WALK. “We place strong  emphasis on improving physical fitness, acquiring better walking skills and increasing bonding time for families. We are firm believers in the idea that a family that plays together, stays together. “

The Universal Declaration of Human rights asserts that all persons have the right to leisure and a standard of living adequate to their health and well being. This right, gives effect to other rights such as the right of children to engage in play and recreation activities; women’s rights to participate in recreation activities and sport; as well as the right of the disabled to participate in sport on an equal basis with others.

The Objectives of the BIG WALK are to:

• Provide opportunities for individuals to development through walking activities
• Provide opportunities for social contact and development of lasting friendship that supports strategies of the Department of Sport and Recreation
• To provide recreation for individuals, regardless of their skills, ability, gender and age
• To promote opportunities which develop a positive attitude towards lifetime recreation
• To promote opportunities for personal growth and development , fellowship opportunities through participation