THE ANC in KwaZulu-Natal will try to ensure that a full range of sporting facilities are available in the province's rural areas and townships.

These will include rugby fields and swimming pools to eliminate the perception that certain sports can only be played by certain races.

Provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said yesterday that sports development was an important tool to prevent substance abuse among the youth and also to unify races.

He said the ANC was concerned that certain sports appeared to be restricted to certain races.

"It cannot be that people playing rugby have to be those who studied at schools in urban areas or former model C schools. Young people from rural areas and those in townships should play rugby too."

Zikalala said rural youths should be able to swim too.

"This is why we feel that it is the duty of municipalities to ensure that facilities are available," Zikalala said.

He said sport encouraged a positive lifestyle.

"Young people indulge in alcohol and drugs because there are limited or no sporting only facilities in their areas," he said.

He said youth in rural areas should have access to all sporting facilities, including swimming pools and sports fields.