SASCOC has announced the names of Team South Africa that will be participating at the 2016 Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Games, previously known as Zone VI Games, in Luanda, Angola from 9-19 December. This is the seventh version of the games.
A squad of 119 athletes from South Africa will be taking part in a total of eight sports in the Region 5 Games this year, namely: athletics (incl. visually impaired), boxing, football, gymnastics, judo, netball, swimming and tennis.
The bulk of the squad will come from athletics, football, netball and swimming.
South Africa have in previous years dominated these Under 20 Games between the Region 5 countries, which include Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.
The games, held bi-annually on a rotational basis, were last presented in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 2014 and Team South Africa did us proud by retaining the first position on the medals table, bringing home a total of 123 medals.
‘Some people think that games of this type aren’t particularly relevant but we at SASCOC put plenty of emphasis on the AUS Region 5 Games,’ said SASCOC president Gideon Sam.
‘It’s at games like these where Rio Olympic medallists Wayde van Niekerk and Luvo Manyonga first made their mark on the continental scene, back in Swaziland six years ago. Who knows, we could be looking at more future Olympians in Luanda.’
SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy added: ‘As we conclude yet another busy and successful sporting year, we wish our youth the best of luck at the Region 5 Games. Team South Africa has a long track record of excellent performance at these games, so we hope they will rise to the occasion in Angola and retain the first position as has been the norm.’
The full team to represent Team South Africa at the Region 5 Games in Luanda, Angola is:
ATHLETICS
Retshidisitswe Mlenga Malesela Senona Sokwakhana Zazini
Dais Malebana Silusapho Dingiswayo Thapelo Legodi
Linford Maree Kyle Blignaut Morne Brandon
Naas Marais Francois Jacobs Hanru Colling
Marli Viljoen Lethabo Makgoga Velmein Hendriks
Carien Stander Liza Kellerman Tshegofatso Sethlakgoe
Rogail Joseph Yvonne Robson Renate van Tonder
Tharina van der Walt Leandri Lamprecht Mizaan Viljoen
Dora Mngwevu (Manager)
Sabata Khumalo (Manager/Coach) Elroy Dixon (Coach) Eben Vermaas (Coach)
ATHLETICS – VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Regan Wilson Mogamat Peterson Sibongiseni Ntuthu
Sinelethu Nyanda Monique Hendricks Avrin Wessels
Charleton Schroeder (Guide Runner for Peterson)
Ricardo Gatyana (Guide Runner for Nyanda)
Duane Fortuin (Guide Runner for Hendricks)
Wade Fraser (Coach)
Elizabeth Shikwambana (Manager/Coach)
BOXING
Siyakholwa Khuse Talent Baloyi Ricardo Malajika
Mxolisi Zuma Athenkosi Plaatjies Uyanda Nogogo
Mlandeli Mnqibisa (Coach) Johannes Britz (Manager/Coach)
FOOTBALL
Mapaseka Mpuru Mologadi Maluleka Betty Malella
Chamelle Wiltshire Caryn van Reyneveldt Drishana Pillay
Tiisetso Makhubela Bongeka Gamede Antonia Maponya
Zimasa Dekeda Linda Motlhalo Thalea Smidt
Karabo Makhurubetshi Kaylyn Jordaan Lelona Daweti
Khanya Xesi Karabo Dhlamini Anelisa Ndyebi
Sheryl Botes (Head Coach) Anna Monate (Ass. Coach / Team Manager)
Busisiwe Khumalo (Goalkeeper Coach)
GYMNASTICS
Gaofenngwe Tlatsana Junior Motladile Francois Breytenbach
Thato Dibe Alice Hawksley Kirsten Davies
Asithandile Nama
Lebogang Ramokopelwa (Coach) Andre van der Merwe (Manager/Coach)
JUDO
Mosa Thetsane Regan Wilson Byron Grobler
Vernon Henry Ludwig Cross Juan de Bruin
Jasmine Martin Chante Labuschagne
Preston Davids (Coach) M van Wezel (Manager/Coach)
NETBALL
Bianca Blom Danelle Lochner Jasmine Ziegelmeier
Jessica du Plessis Nicole Amiras Nonsikelelo Mazibuko
Nozipho Ntshagase Simone Rabie Sinethemba Mkhize
Zandri Vermeulen Bongise Wete
Jenny Van Dyk (Coach) Dumisani Chauke (Team Manager)
SWIMMING
Hanim Abrahams Kiyana Hannah Batleson Kate Beavon
Kristin Bellingan Jessica Rebecca Beukes Lesley Chelsea Blignaut
Khwezi Duma Bathandwa Dyanti Mikayla Eagles
Tarryn Els Ude Fuchs Mohammed Gamieldien
Rais Hassim Brendan Levy Hannah Mclean-Leonard
Darren Minnies Cole Poovan Duncan Roger Rudolph
Timothy Sates Keanu Silent Jade Joy Simons
Daniel Roy Swanepoel Nathania van Niekerk Kyle Van Niekerk
Joshua Walters Jessica Whelan Reece WhItaker
Rafael Zasas Khanya Jack Mpumelelo Mosue
Junaid Scheepers Michael Houlie
Theo Verster (Coach) Csanad Feldhausz (Coach) Chenelle Van Wyk (Coach)
Keenen Riffel (Manager/Coach)
TENNIS
Richard Luvuyo Thongoana Phillip Barry Henning Minette Van Vreden
Imaan Hassim
Thabo Matlhaela (Manager/Coach)
– See more at: http://www.sascoc.co.za/2016/11/14/team-sa-named-for-the-2016-region-5-u20-games-in-angola/#sthash.fWRlNq07.bImeDVOq.dpuf
