PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
South Africa's triumphant Commonwealth squad returns home
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa’s successful Commonwealth Games squad has received a heroes’ welcome at OR Tambo International Airport.
The team, led by world champion runner Caster Semenya, secured 37 medals in total and ended sixth in the medals ranking at the Gold Coast, Australia.
Semenya, Luvo Manyonga (long jump) and Chad Le Clos (swimming) all outshone their international competitors in their respective codes. And Akani Simbine brought home South Africa’s first-ever gold medal in the 100m sprint event, while Martin Erasmus clinched the country’s first wrestling gold medal in 60 years.
The official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday reiterated its call to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to prioritise and provide greater support for all athletes, instill a sense of competitiveness and ensure good governance in sporting structures to encourage more athletes to work towards competing in international competitions.
“Sport brings tangible changes to peoples’ lives and plays a vital role in our national project of social cohesion. It must therefore be given the attention it deserves,” said DA MP Tshepo Mhlongo.
-0- PANA CU/MA 16April2018
The team, led by world champion runner Caster Semenya, secured 37 medals in total and ended sixth in the medals ranking at the Gold Coast, Australia.
Semenya, Luvo Manyonga (long jump) and Chad Le Clos (swimming) all outshone their international competitors in their respective codes. And Akani Simbine brought home South Africa’s first-ever gold medal in the 100m sprint event, while Martin Erasmus clinched the country’s first wrestling gold medal in 60 years.
The official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday reiterated its call to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to prioritise and provide greater support for all athletes, instill a sense of competitiveness and ensure good governance in sporting structures to encourage more athletes to work towards competing in international competitions.
“Sport brings tangible changes to peoples’ lives and plays a vital role in our national project of social cohesion. It must therefore be given the attention it deserves,” said DA MP Tshepo Mhlongo.
-0- PANA CU/MA 16April2018
