20 Apr 2016

Block 1 Ward Development Committee (WDC) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) has officially opened an open gym in Block 1 recreational park.

The mayor of Francistown, Sylvia Muzila, who graced the occasion, applauded residents of Block 1 for such an initiative that would benefit the community.

She urged the community to utilise the facility to keep fit and be healthy and also applauded the WDC for upholding one of the city’s Vision 2022 objectives to be a city of all things precious.

“The park has proven to be one of the footprints towards achieving the city’s goal and prepare for a healthy Francistown community,” she said.

The MYSC coordinator in Francistown, Minkie Botlhole revealed that the project was funded by the ministry to buy the equipment and the idea of the gym was initially proposed by the WDC who went to Gaborone to benchmark on the same project in Block 7, Gaborone.

She pleaded with the public that since the land had not been serviced, it would be of importance that the public help the WDC service the land by installing electricity and water pipes.

Furthermore, she advised the youth to stay healthy and use the gym appropriately, adding that the alarming rise of Sexually Transmitted Illnesses (STIS) in Francistown was worrisome and urged parents to teach children on staying healthy and free from STIs.

Bokole indicated that 15 739 cases were registered in Francistown last year and that the most infected were the youth.

She urged the youth to refrain from activities that could get them infected since the gym has been opened, it would be a good thing to utilise it to avoid other diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

The public engaged in different activities such as aerobics, tug of war, five-a-side football and relay to officially launch the open gym. ENDS