from FUTHI MBHELE in Durban
KwaZulu Natal Bureau
DURBAN, (CAJ News) – THE 2023 Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Games are set to enhance unity in the bloc.
Set to end on Saturday, they have officially been opened in the South African coastal city of Durban, which also aims to make the most of the games to boost its tourism sector.
The fifth edition will feature youth in the Under-19 and Under-21 age groups across five ports, namely badminton (at University of KwaZulu-Natal Old Mutual Sports Hall), beach volleyball (Bay of Plenty), swimming (Kings Park Swimming Pool), table tennis ((UKZN Westville Campus Indoor Hall) and tennis (Curro Hillcrest High School).
Zizi Kodwa, host country’s minister of Sports, Arts and Culture recalled the power of sport to unite people of different colours, races, tribes, cultures, traditions, religions, nationalities and continents.
“It (sport) brings people, communities and nations together,” Kodwa said.
“Further to the strong partnerships that already exist between the BRICS nations, these games will also show the power of sport to unite and deepen connections.”
EThekwini Municipality will host the games in collaboration with the national government and the KZN provincial administration.
The Games started with the BRICS Under-17 football tournament in Goa, India in 2016.
The edition in Guangzhou, China in 2017 featured taolu, volleyball and wushu games.
South Africa organised the third BRICS Games in 2018 in Johannesburg, consisting of volleyball and football.
COVID-19 led to the postponement of subsequent editions but in 2022, China staged a virtual championship.
South Africa is hosting the expanded and inclusive Games, with paralympians participating in tennis and table tennis for the first time.
– CAJ News