In a significant move to support the growth of netball in the country, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday the government’s commitment to constructing a state-of-the-art netball exclusive arena. The announcement came during the closing ceremony of the historic Netball World Cup, which was held for the first time on African soil at the Cape Town International Convention Centre over the past 10 days.
As fervent fans and enthusiastic players of netball basked in the glory of the moment, President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of fostering the sport’s development nationwide. “One of the things that’s been said…is that we need to ensure that netball grows in South Africa. To enable it to grow, we must build netball facilities throughout the country,” President Ramaphosa emphasized. He further added, “I’m happy to say that your closing ceremony is on Women’s Month here in South Africa. So therefore, the gift that we are going to give to the women of South Africa and also the women around the world is to build a netball arena. We are going to do it.”
The President’s announcement was greeted with enthusiasm and excitement, especially from the women’s netball community. The netball exclusive arena is set to become a haven for netball enthusiasts, players, and aspiring athletes, reflecting the government’s commitment to nurturing talent and promoting gender inclusivity in sports.
President Ramaphosa attended the thrilling final match of the Netball World Cup, witnessing Australia emerge victorious against England, claiming the championship trophy. Expressing his appreciation for the efforts of all participating countries, he remarked, “I want to congratulate the winning team, the number one, number two, and number three. But also to say congratulations to all who have been participating in this tournament. You are all winners. I have been watching your sport for the past ten days and I must tell you, I have become a new fan.”
The President’s newfound enthusiasm for netball was evident throughout the tournament, as he reveled in the electrifying atmosphere created by the spirited crowds. In his closing remarks, he commended the vibrant energy and sense of unity that permeated the event, saying, “I also want to congratulate you for the vibe as young people would say, for the wonderful vibe. There has been a very outstanding vibe here and I felt it today. You created a very wonderful African vibe and I’m glad that all the other nations participated in the wonderful spirit that prevailed in this tournament.”
This ambitious initiative underscores the South African government’s commitment to supporting sports, enhancing infrastructure, and empowering women through athletics. The netball exclusive arena is poised to become a symbol of progress, unity, and empowerment, inspiring a new generation of netball enthusiasts and players to dream big and achieve even greater heights.
As South Africa prepares to embark on this groundbreaking endeavor, netball enthusiasts and the nation at large eagerly anticipate the evolution of this new arena, which promises to be a cornerstone of netball’s growth and a testament to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
