World Cup comes to Africa

Fungai Muderere
SOUTH AFRICA will play host to the 2023 edition of the netball World Cup amid revelations that all the matches will be played at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with 16 nations taking part.

The tournament, which has been dominated by Australia and New Zealand, was last held in 2019 in Liverpool, where Zimbabwe managed to charm many with their top-drawer performances that saw team captain Felistus Kwangwa being snatched by English Vitality Netball Super League side Surrey Storm.

This will be the first time that Africa hosts the global showcase that will be played from 17 July to 8 August 2023.

Action will be held over 10 days — showcasing a total of 60 matches after the rainbow nation successfully out-bid New Zealand to secure the 2023 hosting rights.

Mzansi’s minister of sport Nathi Mthethwa believes staging the sports extravaganza will positively impact South Africa and Africa at large.

“In bidding for the Netball World Cup‚ we firmly believed that hosting the event would create an environment for peak performances from the games’ finest players and provide them with a uniquely African and particularly South African experience. Our track record of hosting premier global sporting events is unparalleled. We want to host the most inspirational tournament in Netball World Cup history.”

In 2019, under the guidance of Lloyd Makunde Zimbabwe Gems made a World Cup debut to remember.

Throughout the competition, the Gems went about their business with a vivacity that was never matched by any other nation.

They were the only debutants in the tournament and showed what a joy it was to represent your country on the greatest of stages. They reportedly drew everyone in with their conduct, on and off the court.

The Gems secured their place in Liverpool in August 2018 through the regional qualifier — Africa and the only side that they lost to was the She Cranes of Uganda.

With a wave of energy behind them and their inspirational passion, Makunde’s side had a dream Netball World Cup debut with victories that saw them finish in top five.

Makunde has coached the Gems for the past two decades.

SOUTH AFRICA will play host to the 2023 edition of the netball World Cup amid revelations that all the matches will be played at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with 16 nations taking part.

The tournament, which has been dominated by Australia and New Zealand, was last held in 2019 in Liverpool, where Zimbabwe managed to charm many with their top-drawer performances that saw team captain Felistus Kwangwa being snatched by English Vitality Netball Super League side Surrey Storm.

This will be the first time that Africa hosts the global showcase that will be played from 17 July to 8 August 2023.

Action will be held over 10 days — showcasing a total of 60 matches after the rainbow nation successfully out-bid New Zealand to secure the 2023 hosting rights.

Mzansi’s minister of sport Nathi Mthethwa believes staging the sports extravaganza will positively impact South Africa and Africa at large.

“In bidding for the Netball World Cup‚ we firmly believed that hosting the event would create an environment for peak performances from the games’ finest players and provide them with a uniquely African and particularly South African experience. Our track record of hosting premier global sporting events is unparalleled. We want to host the most inspirational tournament in Netball World Cup history.”

In 2019, under the guidance of Lloyd Makunde Zimbabwe Gems made a World Cup debut to remember.

Throughout the competition, the Gems went about their business with a vivacity that was never matched by any other nation.

They were the only debutants in the tournament and showed what a joy it was to represent your country on the greatest of stages. They reportedly drew everyone in with their conduct, on and off the court.

The Gems secured their place in Liverpool in August 2018 through the regional qualifier — Africa and the only side that they lost to was the She Cranes of Uganda.

With a wave of energy behind them and their inspirational passion, Makunde’s side had a dream Netball World Cup debut with victories that saw them finish in top five.

Makunde has coached the Gems for the past two decades.

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