Pretoria - Government has urged South Africans to rally behind Team SA, who is representing the country at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, in the Scottish city of Glasgow.
The multi-nation tournament kicks-off tonight with a much-anticipated opening ceremony scheduled to take place at Celtic Park, at 10pm.
Communications Minister Faith Muthambi said: “Government is confident that the nation will support our men and women as they strive for gold at the 20th Commonwealth Games. The games will serve to further unite the nation in the year that we celebrate 20 Years of Freedom.
“Sporting events have always served to unite the country as was the case during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 2012 Olympics and the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations and the recently held African Championship of Nations”.
She said the country has sent a 187-strong member team to participate in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which will end on August 3, 2014. The games are another chance for South Africans to rally behind the sporting heroes and heroines.
“Our sportsmen and women carry the nation’s hopes and dreams. Government is convinced that they will represent our nation’s values of democracy, equality and respect for all. Our sportsmen and women are an extension of South Africa’s core values of non‐racialism and non‐sexism,” said Minister Muthambi.
South Africans abroad are invited to show their support for Team SA by visiting Ekhaya, a hospitality centre that is a home away from home.
Minister Muthambi said government is fully behind Team SA, adding that: “We believe that they will do us proud. Team South Africa won 33 medals in the last Commonwealth Games; and is looking to match and exceed its previous record”.
All South Africans are also encouraged to support the teams by watching the Games that will be broadcast on DSTV and SABC channels daily at 10am and 10pm.
The best of Team SA will be competing in games including swimming, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lawn bowls, netball, para-powerlifting, rugby sevens, shooting, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling. - SAnews.gov.za
