TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – THREE junior wheelchair sides from the continent will contest the U23 African Championship qualifiers South Africa is hosting until Sunday.
Wheelchair Basketball South Africa (WBSA) will host the competition featuring the host nation, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
The championship will have a total of ten games which will be played at the Mandeville Stadium in Johannesburg.
Sasol, the energy company, is backing the tournament.
“We at Sasol are proud and honoured to be part of this historical moment once again,” says Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol Group Brand Marketing Manager.
She says their relationship with WBSA has been long standing for the past nine years, and has allowed them to be exposed to Wheelchair Basketball and provide opportunities that has progressed the team.
“Sasol is passionate about demonstrating its commitment to inclusion and diversity in South Africa by supporting sport for people with disabilities,” says Mbatha.
Quentin Robinson, High Performance Director for WBSA, is confident of the hosts’ chances.
“We believe that we stand a good chance of qualifying for the World Cup taking place in Canada next year, and doing our best to channel our energies into winning the U23 Africa Championship qualifiers,” says Robinson.
– Guardian