As you all know India won the bid to host the 2010 commonwealth Games in 2003 and in 2004, South Africa won the bid to host the 2010 FIFA world Cup. There was no doubt in our minds that the two countries would host these two major 2010 sporting events with distinction. Today with only five days to go before the Commonwealth Games begin ,we remain optimistic that India will deliver memorable Commonwealth Games.
Today we are proud to announce the arrival of TeamSA. We have been fortunate to have a clean bill of health, as a result we were informed by the chef de Mission that all our athletes will be partipating in the Commonwealth Games. The first group arrived this morning and have beem escorted to the hotel which the organisers have temporarily prepared for them until they move the Commonwealth Games village. The rest of the TeamSA will arrive this afternoon.
For South Africa the Commonwealth Games symbolise the levelling and unifying power of sport. As a country that has just hosted the FIFA World Cup we wish India, South Africas friend for all seasons, success as host s of this multisport commonwealth showpiece.
South Africa is looking forward to the games and we are 100 percent confident that TeamSA will represent South Africa with aplomb. In fact, our Chef de Mission told me that SASCOC PresidentGideon Sam’s message to the team was that they should compte fairly and befrien athletes from other countries. He further stressed that TeamSA should boldly dominate and monopolise medals. The implication is that these Commonwealth Games South africa will have the highest medal count. That said ,South Africa wishes the other participating teams all the best.
As we used to say in the run to the FIFA World Cup “Feel it, it is here, Ke Nako (the time is now) I wish to say the same in relation to the imminent Commonwealth Games: Feel it, it is here, Ke Nako!
I thank you
