Welkom
The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation will be staging the 18th edition of the OR Tambo Games in collaboration with Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Xhariep District Municipality, Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Fezile Dabi District Municipality, Mangaung Metro Municipality and Sport and
Recreation Councils. The games are scheduled to take place from 24-26 October 2025 in Thabong, Welkom.
The inaugural OR Tambo games were hosted by Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality in 2005, followed by Fezile Dabi District Municipality in 2006. The games have been staged in Lejweleputswa District Municipality (Welkom) from 2007 to date.
The games are held annually during October (the birth month of Ntate OR Tambo) to commemorate the life and legacy of the late struggle stalwart and global icon, Mr Oliver Reginald Tambo and his selfless efforts in the fight for liberation and the freedoms that we are now enjoying.
The OR Tambo games are aimed at promoting sport and recreation in the province and through these games players have been selected to represent the province at national and international level. The games begin at ward level through municipalities until provincial level. The best players then get selected to represent their districts
during the finals.
All four districts and the metro will partake in the following sporting codes:
1. Softball (Males and Females)
2. Volleyball (Males and Females)
3. Football (Females)
4.Boxing (Males and Females)
In honour of Oliver Reginald Tambo, the games will be preceded by a gala dinner and memorial lecture on the 24th October 2025. Mangaung Metro Municipality Executive Mayor Cllr. Gregory Nthatisi will deliver the keynote address.
The 2025 OR Tambo Games programme will unfold as follows:
Gala Dinner and Memorial Lecture
Date: 24 October 2025
Place: Ferdie Meyer Hall, Welkom
Time: 18:00
Games Kick-Off
Date: 25 October 2025
Place: Kopano Indoor Sport Centre, Thabong (Welkom)
Time: 08:00 Games Kick-Off
Closing and Award Ceremony
Date: 26 October 2025
Place: Kopano Indoor Sport Centre, Thabong (Welkom)
Time: 16:00
