JUST over 140 schools in Gauteng will compete at the Schools Olympic finals in Tshwane on Saturday and next Wednesday.
The finals will take place at the University of Pretoria sports complex in Hatfield with the learners competing in four codes.
The event is hosted by Gauteng department of sport, arts, culture and recreation. It caters for youngsters between the ages of 11 and 17.
MEC Lebogang Maile said the event forms part of the efforts aimed at the revival of school leagues, which is crucial in the production of talent in sport.
"When I was appointed MEC by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, I made it clear that we were going to revive school sports.
"We cannot produce quality sportsmen and women if development is neglected. We need to channel more resources into school sports. When some of us were growing up, school sport was big in black residential areas like Seshego, Alexandra, Umlazi, Mahikeng, Mhluzi, the East Rand and Galeshewe.
"That is where top soccer clubs like Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows used to scout for raw talent," said Maile.
"Legends like Jomo Sono, Doctor Khumalo, William Makhura, Brian Baloyi, David Modise, Hendrick Ramaala, Anna Monate, Teenage Dladla and Hezekiel Sepeng are products of school sport. We are using these events to ensure that Gauteng remains the home of champions. We also want to produce swimmers like Cameron van der Burgh in black communities."