The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) decided to send the country’s first-ever Boccia team to the Paralympic Games, which will take place in France later this year.
The South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled’s (SASAPD) National Championships took place between 22 and 24 March, and with Boccia being played at the championships, there was a greater focus on the sporting code.
“This is very exciting for us,” said the excited Marisa Potgieter, World Boccia Technical Delegate, and FSSAPD Boccia Convener. “We have been working for more than 10 years to get Boccia SA internationally recognised, and the dream finally came true in 2022 when we took our first SA team to the World Boccia Championships in Rio de Janeiro.”
She went on to say: “We are in the privileged position to take a team to the Paralympic Games,” and explained that she experiences goosebumps when she looks back at the progress that the sport has made in the country. “We are very excited to see that all the hard work has paid off,” said Potgieter, “for these athletes, Boccia is their life and it gives them meaning”.
Several local Boccia athletes did particularly well at the National Championships, including Karabo Morapedi, who, with his ramp operator Vincent Ramochela, won gold in the BC3 category individuals event. Faith Lesibe won gold in the BC5 category individuals event.
The South African team that will be heading to the Games is yet to be selected, but Morapedi and Lesibe will be hopeful of making it as part of the country’s first-ever Paralympic Boccia team.
Warren Hawkins
