Eswatini’s athlete in dire need sends SOS

MBABANE – Eswatini athlete Bakhona Sikhondze has pleaded for financial assistance as he prepares for the upcoming Senior Commonwealth Games to be held in 2026.

The Manzini Athletics Club athlete who represented the country in the World Junior Championships held in Kenya in 2021, is appealling to the public for financial assistance.

He said that he aimed to make Eswatini proud and secure a podium finish at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2026. “I am diligently preparing myself for the Commonwealth Games scheduled for 2026. My ultimate goal is to secure a spot in the podium, which will require a combination of dedicated training and essential resources.

“To achieve this, I am reaching out to the public and potential sponsors for assistance in covering necessary expenses, including coaching fees, gym membership and transportation costs. Additionally, participating in international competitions in countries like South Africa and Botswana will play a crucial role in boosting my performance and confidence,” he said .

The 19-year-old athlete, who is currently the only hurdler representing Eswatini, expressed his belief that as time goes on, more emaSwati will join him in this event.

DEDICATION

“I am hopeful that my dedication and passion for the sport will inspire more of my fellow emaSwati to join me in this event as time goes on. Together, we can elevate Eswatini’s presence in the world of athletics,” he added.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXIII Commonwealth Games, is a planned multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

However, the host nation for the event has not yet been confirmed, as the original host, Victoria, Australia, withdrew due to financial concerns. As a result, the Commonwealth Games Federation is currently exploring alternative options, including a scaled-down and cost-effective proposal from Glasgow, Scotland.

A final decision on the host nation is expected to be made in June 2024. The Commonwealth Games, feature a range of sports and disciplines, including, among others: Aquatics (swimming, diving) Athletics (track and field) Badminton

Basketball

Beach volleyball

Boxing

The most recent Commonwealth Games were held in Birmingham, England, from July 28 to August 8, 2022. Birmingham was selected as the host city in December 2017, replacing the original host Durban, South Africa, which withdrew due to financial constraints.