The countdown to South Africa’s hosting of the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 (VNWC2023) is gaining momentum, as today marks 100 days until Cape Town hosts the first-ever global netball event on African soil.
The global showpiece will be hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and set to takes place from 28 July to 6 August 2023.
There are several upcoming activities planned in various provinces, to mark 100 Days to Go which will be spearheaded by various Provincial Governments and Municipalities.
The activations kicked off on Friday the 14 April, where the Organising Committee launched a “Netball Friday” celebration in Tembisa, initiated by South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa.
There was also the unveiling of a multi-purpose facility at Ronnie Louw Sports Grounds in Hopefield on Tuesday 18 April.
Local Organising Committee’s tournament director Priscilla Masisi has encouraged South Africans to get themselves tickets for the global spectacle.
“This 100 Days to Go milestone will assist in providing all of us with an opportunity to encourage the 16 nations participating in the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 to mobilise their supporters so that they can come and get behind their teams. We, therefore, encourage all of the supporters to buy their tickets to attend this first-ever Netball World Cup on African soil,” Masisi said.
Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane is proud of the milestone they’ve reached as a federation.
“Today is the day that goes down in the history books of netball in the country, continent and the world, because after 60 years it’s hitting us that we “South Africa” are actually hosting the world cup in 100 days.
“We as Netball South Africa, is another tick in the box and milestone reached, we cannot be prouder of today and we can’t wait patiently and anxiously towards the first centre pass that will be played on the 28 July, and can’t wait to be the proud host of this history-making tournament,” said an excited Molokwane.
New Zealand are the reigning champions, and they will be looking to defend their crown; and be the first ever winners of the tournament on African soil.
The pools for the preliminary stages of the NWC2023 are confirmed as follows:
POOL A: Australia | Tonga | Zimbabwe | Fiji
POOL B: England | Malawi | Scotland | Barbados
POOL C: Jamaica | South Africa | Wales | Sri Lanka
POOL D: New Zealand | Uganda | Trinidad & Tobago | Singapore
