29 Dec 2016

 Residents of Chanoga in Ngamiland District have welcomed formation of a youth group, which aims at  promoting cultural and sports tourism in the village.
The group named Chanoga Cultural Arts and Sport Organisation (CHASTO) was formed by youths who were eager to put their village in the map by organising community projects to revive and preserve culture, promote participation of residents in art and craft activities as well as fight crime and other social ills through sporting activities.
In an interview, chairperson of the group, Mokeresete Mokeresete said they found it fit to sell their idea to the village elders because they believed that through their support, they could realise their dreams.
He said through team work, they could brand their village and create business opportunities through cultural activities, tourism and sports.
He said CHASTO had three components to focus on being; revival and preservation of culture and history.
Mokeresete said the organisation wanted to be seen at the forefront in preserving culture, noting that government was also committed to the development and preservation of different cultures.
The second component he mentioned was promotion of participation by residents in government initiatives aimed to promote art and craft.
Mokeresete said sport could be used to attract youths and take them away from alcohol outlets and criminal activities.
He said they intended to promote different sporting codes, especially during public holidays.
“We believe that sports tourism is ideal to enhance our village image as many people would influx the area to watch sport code and players of their interest,”  he added.
Mokeresete said elders were better positioned to share information of the history of the village while still alive so that the new generation could benefit.
He explained that history and cultural heritage were an integral part of the place identity, infrastructure and landscape, hence they could use them to enhance the image of the village.
He also pointed out that the organisation would also take over the responsibility of organising the annual cultural festival. ENDS