JOHANNESBURG, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) named a strong team to compete at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, Bahamas during July 19 to 23, 2017.
The team will have representation in six of the nine sporting disciplines being showcased.
SASCOC CEO, Tubby Reddy expressed optimism that Team South Africa will perform better than what they did two years ago. In the last Commonwealth Youth Games in Apia, Samoa in 2015 the country was second with a total of 35 medals.
Reddy said, "Though we are sending a lean team we believe it is a strong team who have all met the competitive selection criteria and will do the nation proud. Previously Team South Africa has performed exceptionally at these games and we therefore hope that the same or even better results will be achieved."
South Africans will compete in Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Judo, Swimming and Tennis. The games are used by South Africa to groom youngsters to be future champions. Reddy said, "The Commonwealth Youth Games, remain an integral event for us as future stars and Olympians rise from events of such a nature."
Team South Africa would be led by Patience Shikwambana. She said they are leaving on the month of the global icon's birth (Nelson Mandela) which will inspire the team to do better. Mandela was born on July 18. Enditem
