THE ORGANIZATION that oversees sports in the country, the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (Sascoc) has announced the list of 112 players who will represent South Africa at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
These games, which are almost similar to the Olympic Games, are played by more than 50 countries that have been under the leadership of the United Kingdom, and some that are still under the UK but are independent in this competition.
The annual Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
Countries will compete in different sports, including those for the disabled (para-sports).
In the last one that was played in Birmingham, England in 2022, the local team returned with 27 medals as they collected seven gold, nine silver and 11 bronze.
This time it will be led by the former captain of the national netball team, Bongiwe Msomi, who was given the position of Chef de Mission last month. Msomi, who is now a netball coach, is the one who will be making sure that everyone in the country has a good time in these games and that they get everything they need to represent the country in the right way.
“There is no doubt that we fully trust the team that will represent us in Glasgow. I always remind the players that apart from competition, they should be good ambassadors for the country. What we ask of them is that they do their best, and the results will come,” said the president of Sascoc, Barry Hendricks.
Sascoc also disclosed that the individual players who will receive gold medals will be awarded R100 000, and their coaches will receive R15 000. Those who will return with silver will receive R50 000, the coaches will benefit from R10 000, and those who will receive bronze will be awarded R25 000, and the coaches will receive R5 000.
For those who play team games, each player will receive R25 000 for gold, the coach will receive R15 000. If the team receives silver, each player will be awarded R12 500, the coach will receive R7 500, and if they bring home a bronze medal, each player will receive R6 250, and the coach will be given R3 750.
The local team will participate in different sports including athletics, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, judo, netball, bowls, swimming weightlifting and wheelchair basketball.
The country’s best swimmer, Chad Le Clos, will be aiming to add to the 18 medals he has won at the Commonwealth Games before, a record he holds with Phillip Adams of Australia and Mick Gault of England, who are playing the shooting game.
The team that will represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Games
ATHLETICS
Women: Marlie Viljoen, Prudence Sekgodiso, Karabo More, Tayla Kavanagh, Marione Fourie, Rogail Joseph, Jo-Ane du Plessis
Abesilisa: Gift Wheel; Akani Simbine, Bradley Nkoana, Cheswill Johnson, Mvuyo Moss, Sinesipho Dambile, Mthi Mthimkulu, Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay, Maxime Chaumeton, Tshepo Tshite, Jacobus le Roux, Sabelo Dhlamini, Aiden Smith, Douw Smith, Kyle Rademeyer
Izikhulu: Tracey Olivier (manager), Regoabetswe Malope (logistics), Werner Prinsloo (sprints/relays), Daniel Damon (throws), Shaun Bownes (hurdles/long sprint)
PARA ATHLETICS
Women: Sheryl James, Liezel Gouws, Yane van der Merwe
He finished: Jaco Smith, Collen Mahlalela, Masala Makatu, Nicolaas Strydom
Izikhulu: Lezanne Bruwer (manager), Jason Sewanyana (coach)
BOXING
Women: Thandolwethu Mathiba, Samukelise Ncube
Men: Let’s welcome Damesi, let’s kill Sigwela
Officials: Nkosinathi Hlatshwayo (coach), Moonyean Britz (coach/manager)
CYCLING
Women: S’annara Grove
Male: Jean Spies
Executive: Brigitte Mileson (manager)
GYMNASTICS
Women: Caitlin Rooskrantz, Naveen Daries, Zelme Daries, Buhle Nhleko, Karma Visagie
Abesilisa: Daniel Maclean
Izikhulu: Ilse Pelser (women’s head coach), Leeland Christian (women’s assistant coach), Kevin Basson (men’s head coach)
JUDO
Women: Donné Breytenbach, Skye Knoester
Men: Thomas Breytenbach, Timothy Meuwsen
Officials: Mthobeli Vena (coach), Theresa Mihalik (manager)
NETBALL
Women: Khanyisa Chawane, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmere van der Berg, Karla Pretorius, Jamie van Wyk, Karla Victor, Sanmarie Visser
Officials: Jenny van Dyk (coach), Zanele Mdodana (assistant coach), Vinolia Austin (manager), Colin Powell (team official), Bongani Mdunjana (team official)
BOWLS
Women: Bridget Calitz, Jacquelyn Janse Van Rensburg, Elinah Muvhango
Abesilisa: Wayne Rittmuller, Jason Evans, Paul Anthony
PARA BOWLS
Women: Nozipo Schroeder
Abesilisa: Keith Orrell, Gareth Rees-Gibbs, Jarid James
Izikhulu: Graham Ward (director VI Mixed), Trevor Freeman (director VI Mixed), JP du Plessis (men’s coach), Jennifer Jones (women’s coach), Cedric Summergill (para coach), Owen James (team manager)
SWIMMING
Abesifazane: Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher, Jessica Thompson, Kayleen Corbet, Lara van Niekerk, Hannah Pearse, Caitlin de Lange, Hannah Robertson, Georgia Nel, Duné Coetzee, Olivia Nel
Abesilisa: Pieter Coetzé, Ruard van Renen, Michael Houlie, Chris Smith, Calvyn Justus, Chad le Clos, Jarden Eaton, Guy Brooks, Kris Mihaylov
FOR SWIMMING
Women: Danika Vyncke, Alani Ferreira
Abesilisa: Christian Sadie, Nathan Hendricks
Izikhulu: Rocco Meiring (head coach), Dean Price (coach), Eugene Jose Da Ponte (coach), Theo Verster (para head coach), Keith Jansen (para coach/tapper), Chanelle van Wyk (manager)
WEIGHTLIFTING
Women: Johanni Taljaard, Anneke Spies-Burger, Laryne Jefferies, Cheyenne Smith
Men: William Swart, Nicolaas du Plooy, Christoffel Reeder, Jon-Antohein Phillips, Zachary-Paul Snyman
Izikhulu: Darryn Anthony (coach), Lyle du Plooy (coach), Andrew Anthony (coach)
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
Women: Aviwe Ngoni, Michelle Moganedi, Asive Gilifile, Ongeza Hagu
Men: Zakhele Shelembe, Shane Williams, Xola Yalezo, Simanga Mbhele
Officials: Gcina Panyana (coach), Cecil Dumond (coach), Gerhard Smith (manager)