SA gets nod to host World Cup

Strong bid from New Zealand bites the dust

Cape Town has won the right to host the 2023 Netball World Cup (NWC)‚ beating a strong bid from Auckland‚ New Zealand‚ for the sport’s flagship event.

International Netball Federation (INF) president Molly Rhone made the announcement to massive applause from players‚ coaches and administrators. Cape Town’s International Convention Centre will be transformed to host the 16-team competition in five year’s time. It’s the first time an African city has earned the right to host the World Cup since its inception in 1963.

The 2023 tournament will be the 16th staging of the World Cup.

“We were delighted to receive two exceptional bids and the INF board was satisfied that both Netball New Zealand and Netball South Africa would be capable of hosting a successful and thrilling NWC 2023‚” Rhone said.

“The INF board decided that the significant investment that the South African government and Western Cape were prepared to make over the next four years in netball facilities and coaching programmes in South Africa‚ the African continent and beyond would deliver a greater impact on the development of global netball.

She added: “It is an exciting time for netball right now. Our sport is growing in popularity at an unprecedented rate throughout the world.

“There is increasing competitiveness between the top nations and now three teams from Africa feature in the top 10 of the INF world rankings.

“We look forward to working with the organising committee to bring the INF’s most important event to South Africa in 2023.”

/ GRANT PITCHER/GALLO IMAGES Sport minister Tokozile Xasa and her deputy Gert Oosthuizen flank Western Cape sport MEC Anroux Marais, City of Cape Town safety and security member JP Smith and Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane as they celebrate winning the bid.