The much awaited inaugural Maun Aerobics Festival has proved to be a treat for the multitudes who thronged the event last weekend for a fun filled day of diverse physical activities that included, a 5 km walk, boot camp, hi-low, step and box challenge.
The inaugural festival brought together 12 aerobics clubs from across the country and 240 participants who registered for the event. The participants took part in different physical activities.
The activities were divided into two categories – old school and modern school. The old school is basic aerobics with intermediate part while the modern school is advanced aerobics that features modified dance moves with participants usually being young athletes.
In an interview with Times Sport, the event director, Lado Tshenolo said the rising number of diseases caused by certain lifestyles are a threat to public health and the economy, adding that medical research has proven that these are found mainly among the youth.
According to him, aerobics is one of the notable physical activities that comprises of different basics to maintain a healthy living as such there is a need for the youth to actively take part it.
Maun as a tourism destination attracts many people and some of them usually focus more on entertainment activities where they get exposed to unhealthy habits like alcohol abuse. Tshenolo explained that the event seeks to promote sports tourism highlighting that participants booked accommodation in hotels and did boat cruises therefore empowering the local economy while at the same time taking part in aerobics.
“Our intention is to make the Maun Aerobics Festival an annual event so that we can revive aerobics in Maun. From the beginning of next year, we will be making the event’s activations in Maun and surrounding areas that will be followed by the second edition of the event on the 3rd September,” Tshenolo revealed.
Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital Superintendent, Dr Lebogang Mokotedi lamented that government spends millions of Pula on the treatment of non-communicable diseases. Mokotedi said aerobics can help reduce costs incurred on treatment. She encouraged participants to be physically active, take part in physical activities, eat healthy food, and avoid smoking and alcohol abuse.
During the event the aerobics clubs were awarded medals and trophies under different activities they competed in while the aerobics instructors were awarded certificates of appreciation.
Jwaneng Aerobics Club took 1st position in the male old school-step, 1st position in male old school- box, 3rd position in male modern school-hi lo and won motivator male boot camp award. The club representative has explained that it was through hard work and determination that they managed to win the awards. He appreciated the team members for the team work.
Selibe Phikwe Fitness Club won the 1st position in female modern school-box and the 2nd position in female modern school hi-low. The Club’s Instructor, Binang Masimege stated that as a female she wanted to prove that as women they can also do well while competing with men. She said that consistency to training led them to achieving their win.
