Western Cape sport rallies behind 2023 Netball World Cup 

The Western CAPE is committed to promoting sports at a grassroots level and this year is paying extra attention to the development of netball ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup to be held in Cape Town.

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) has handed over R2 975 000 to the Eden District Sports Council in Knysna to promote sports developments at a grassroots level in the area.

The council is tasked with promoting sports participation in the district and acting as a link between the various affiliated sports codes. It has 35 affiliated sports federations. 

Each year, the DCAS provides funding to qualifying federations across the province. This year, special focus is being given to netball, ahead of the Netball World Cup that will be hosted in Cape Town from 28 July to 6 August 2023.

MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport in the Western Cape Anroux Marais says they will provide funding to municipalities across the province to upgrade their netball facilities. The refurbished facilities will be used during the tournament and will thereafter benefit communities for years to come.

ALSO READ: PROTEAS SCOUTING TALENT FOR NETBALL WORLD YOUTH CUP IN 2025

Netball teams from 16 countries around the world will be participating in the 16th staging of the premier competition. According to Netball SA, about 60 games will be played. 

The last Netball World Cup was held in Liverpool, England, in 2019. 

Tania Colyn, Head of Communication for the DCAS, says they are honoured to host the event. “The department is excited for the upcoming 2023 Netball World Cup as it will bring a boost to the economy through sports tourism and will also give greater exposure to netball in our country.”

As part of the build-up programme, Marais opened a new netball court in Hartenbos earlier this month. 

The department is committed to helping athletes across all sports codes reach their full potential, by doing what it can to ensure they have decent facilities and equipment. 

“While the industry may take two to three years to recover, the DCAS Major Events Component will continue to create space for sports tourism throughout the province by assisting federations to host inter-district, inter-provincial and international events in the Western Cape,” says Marais.

Written by Kgaogelo Letsebe

This article was originally published in the GCIS Vuk’uzenzele.