Team SA receives rousing Commonwealth Games send-off
Team South Africa was given an exceptional send-off to the 2014 Commonwealth Games on Tuesday, July 15.
The Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3.
The team, which will take on their Commonwealth counterparts across 17 different sporting codes, were assembled at the Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, for an elegant and lively regale dinner where they were addressed by Sascoc president Gideon Sam and the minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula.
“There are two things that are going to happen when you get off that plane coming back home: one, the country will either applaud you or label you as a bunch of losers,” Sam said.
“Go and create your own space so that generations who will come after you can say, ‘We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them’,” the president told the team.
Mbalula echoed Sam’s sentiments.
“I’m confident that you’ll do us proud, our journey is to go to the Olympics. We will accompany you and support you. Go to Glasgow and enjoy yourselves, said the minister.
British High commissioner Judith Macgregor said a total of 6 500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories will be in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games.
“Just like London 2012, everyone in the United Kingdom is looking forward to welcoming the Commonwealth to make the Games a success. Team South Africa will be part of that excitement and I wish all your athletes every success at the Games,” said Macgregor.
Earlier in the day the team assembled at the Union Buildings in Pretoria where they met deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“As you depart these shores I remind you that sport has always been an invaluable tool to promote social cohesion and unite our population,” said Ramaphosa.
“Sport is the glue that binds us and we have been part of former President Nelson Mandela’s winning nation ever since 1994.
“This is the most important journey that you are embarking on where you will meet people from other countries, so this is an opportunity to demonstrate who you really are.”
The team departed for Scotland the following day. -@SabeloBoksburg
