Programme Director;
President of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Mr Gideon Sam;
CEO of SASCOC, Mr Tubby Reddy;
President of TeamSA,
Board Members present here;
All Athletes participating in the All Africa Games;
Parents and friends;
Distinguished Guest;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Fellow South Africans;
I would like to take this opportunity to greet you all on behalf of the Ministry of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) this evening. It is indeed with a pleasure and humility that I stand in front of you tonight to convey our deepest wishes to the entire TeamSA to do well in the upcoming All Africa Games in Mozambique next month, September 2011.
Ladies and gentlemen, as a nation we are delighted and proud that our young sportsmen and women are taking part in many championships, tournaments and games in Africa and across the world. Without doubt the All Africa Games are also adding value to this journey of sports development, global participation, and excellence in sport by providing an opportunity for our youth to take part in different sporting codes and also attending this prestigious tournament on foreign soil. It should stand as an inspiration to all national sports federations and sports people of South Africa to emulate this example.
Indeed, you are a team of athletes that our people are proud of. All South Africans, black and white, are behind you in your endeavours to succeed in these games. Our people know and are convinced that through your continuous participation in games like these, you are on your way to top performance in the world sport.
On behalf of the government of the Republic of South Africa and the entire Sport loving community of South Africa, may the team rest assured of South Africa’s rhythm and ululation each time they take part in any terrain of battle in the games.
We are confident that you will do our nation proud and come back victorious to sharpen your arsenals and those of your brothers and sisters even further in preparation for the ultimate battlefield in London during the 2012 Olympics.
Ladies and gentlemen, we trust that for each team member a winning performance at the Games will be a step towards medal glory on the world sports stage, and that your years of training and preparation will pay off well.
This will assist the nation in its endeavour of nation building, social cohesion and unity and changing the quality of life of all South Africans to the better.
Let me quote words of encouragement and wisdom from two unknown sport materials’ authors: ”The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle” … and … “Losers quit when they are tired … while … Winners quit when they have won.”
We are aware that in this team, our country and people have true heroes and heroines of our time whose story will continue to reverberate in the minds of many generations to follow through stories to be told for many years to come.
History will forever remember that when a question bellowed, ‘who shall Mzantsi send to defend her pride in Maputo, Mozambique?’ they rose to the occasion and stood up fearlessly to be counted.
We are inspired that, like true warriors of our land, you put your act where most needed; and walked the talk to earn the right to national regalia of sport battle.
Indeed, you are truly the best of the best for yours was never a walk in the park but a journey punctuated by baptismal through fierce fires of competition to select best you are today.
Good Luck!
