Spar Proteas will present South African women with a perfect gift in August, also dubbed Women’s Month in South Africa, when they lift the Netball World Cup trophy as world champions.
This was a bold declaration made by Netball South Africa and Africa Netball president, Cecilia Molokwane, at the Netball World Cup Trophy Tour in Mthatha on Friday, June 30.
The Mthatha leg of the trophy tour was held at the Walter Sisulu University’s Nelson Mandela Drive Campus stadium.
The Netball World Cup will be played at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from July 28 to August 6.
“The Netball World Cup arrived in South Africa on Thursday, May 25, Africa Day.
The trophy tour across South Africa took place in June, Youth Month. The Netball World Cup tournament starts on Friday, July 28, the Nelson Mandela Month, and on Sunday, August 6, Women’s Month, when we lift the trophy as champions, it will be a perfect gift to women,” Molokwane said to loud cheers.
Molokwane further urged South Africans to rally behind the Spar Proteas team.
Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe, added that the Eastern Cape leg of the trophy tour had ignited hope for young girls playing netball, that one day they will also be part of the national team.
Kontsiwe further said that coaching clinics to unearth and develop future netball players were also held as part of the trophy tour.
“This is so exciting. We are used to seeing the trophy on television and to have it here in Mthatha with us feels so surreal,” said aspirant Protea and netball enthusiast Nozibele Bhuwa.
