This year, once again, more than 1.2 million children from over 6,000 schools are taking part in the King's Games. These are primary schools in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, Dutch schools abroad, and the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
The King attended the national opening of the King's Games together with 420 pupils from De Arke Primary School, where they took part in the King's Breakfast. Minister Bruno Bruins was also present at the national opening. The Frisian primary school recently received the ‘Exercise and Sport’ certificate from the Healthy School programme, the quality mark for schools that work to improve the health of their pupils.
Richard Krajicek, initiator of the King's Games, said: “I think it is fantastic that this year, too, the King's Games are showing more than 1.2 million children how important and, above all, how enjoyable a good breakfast, drinking enough water and being active are. I am proud of the enthusiasm and commitment of the teachers, volunteers, parents, sports clubs, municipalities and sports federations. Thanks to them, we can make this sporting celebration possible for the children.”
Sports Minister Bruno Bruins said: "It is great to see so many children and primary schools enjoying sport today by taking part in the King's Games. The sports agreement is now being implemented together with municipalities. One of its components is, among other things, the creation of more play areas for children at schools".
In 2020, the King's Games will take place on Friday, 24 April.