BOITUMELO MAKEPEA
In March 2019 it was announced by the International Netball Federation (INF) that South Africa will be hosting the 16th Netball World Cup in 2023.
This prestigious tournament will be held in Cape Town and it will be the first time that such a tournament will be held in Africa. South Africa was also the first African country to host the Soccer World Cup in 2010. Considering the history of South Africa as a whole and in sports, this is a very important milestone.
During apartheid, many sporting facilities were available exclusively to white people due to discrimination. South Africa was banned from participating in international sports because of allegations of race having played part in the national squad selection. However, South Africa has been a longtime competitor in the international netball scene and South Africa’s Spar Proteas have experience in international competition and have participated in a number of the Fast5 Netball World Series. They finished sixth in 2016 in Melbourne, Australia and their best result in the Fast5 Netball World Series was in 2012 in Auckland, New Zealand where they came out third with the bronze.
They also competed in the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England and were in the fourth place after being beaten by the hosting nation, England, in a bronze play out. 2019 was a great year for South African sports on the international stage with Banyana Banyana going to the Women’s World Cup for the first time, the Proteas going to the Cricket World Cup and the Springboks winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Images: srsa.gov.za
