Pretoria - Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula is confident that Team South Africa will realise its 2014 Commonwealth games target of 43 medals.
This year at the Commonwealth games, taking place in Glasgow, the team plans to scoop no less that 43 medals: 15 gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze medals.
“Let’s appreciate the work that our team is doing at the Common Wealth games in Glasgow. We are a nation of winners.
“To date, we have collected 26 medals and I want to congratulate all our athletes who are continuing to do well in Glasgow.
“I am positive the target of 43 medals set by South African Sport Confederations and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) will be achieved,” he said.
Minister Mbalula was speaking, in Parliament, while delivering his Budget Vote speech, on Tuesday evening.
South Africa is currently on position 7 on the Glasgow medal standing with 26 medals: 9 gold, 7 silver and 10 bronze. Australia is on top with a total of 101 medals: 34 gold, 31 silver and 36 bronze medals, while Kenya is on the 10th position with 9 medals: four gold, four silver and one bronze medal.
At the last Commonwealth games in New Delhi, India, four years ago, Team SA clinched 33 medals to end joint fifth on the medals table with 12 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals.
Team SA is participating in 15 different sporting codes, including aquatics, wrestling, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lawn bowls, netball, para-powerlifting, rugby sevens, shooting and triathlon.
Minister congratulates Bafana coach
Minister Mbalula also congratulated the under-17 national soccer team coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, who was recently promoted by the South African Football Association (safa), to be the head coach of Bafana Bafana.
“One of the most significant decisions about our football was taken this weekend, the appointment of the national team coach. Let me congratulate Shakes Mashaba on his new, high expectation laden post. We wish you all the best Ntate Mashaba,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
