Tug-of-war championships draw more competitors than expected

Gallery Update Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS & VIDEO - The SA National Club Tug-of-War Championships were held in Hartenbos on Saturday, 24 October and drew many more participants than expected.

President of Eden and Western Cape Tug-of-War Barries Barnard told the Mossel Bay Advertiser he had expected 150, but there were 400 competitors.

He was extremely grateful to the Hartenbos ATKV for the provision of the ATKV Amphitheatre for free for the championships.

It was expected there would be fewer teams this year because of the lockdown having hampered sport, but Barnard said he was delighted with the number of teams in the end.

Photo gallery: Tug of War Championships in Hartenbos

Western Cape Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Anroux Marais attended the championships and told the Advertiser she was extremely impressed with the team spirit shown. She said the championships were a welcome cash injection for Hartenbos.

Minister Anroux Marais with the Hartenbos women's 540kg team, which won silver.

Zelda van Staden of the Eden Sports Council; vice president of SA Tug-of-War Bennie Geldenhuys; Eden and Western Cape Tug-of-War president Barries Barnard; Sport, Art and Culture MEC Anroux Marais; and ATKV Hartenbos Resort manager Mornay Beukes. Photos: Linda Sparg

"It is sad that spectators had to be turned away because of Covid-19 protocols stipulating there should be no spectators," Minister Marais said. However, she was pleased the championships took place in adherence to Covid-19 protocols.