Msomi pleads for govt support

PROTEAS CAPTAIN Bongiwe Msomi is urging the South African Government to rally behind Netball SA’s bid to host the 2023 World Cup. It will be the first time the tournament is hosted in Africa.

The tournament, which would be exclusive to a hosting city, would provide an economic injection in excess of R2.6 billion.

More than the financial gain would be the boost to women in sport in South Africa and Africa.

The 2023 bid deadline is June 30 and the bid has to be endorsed and have the full backing of the government.

Msomi speaks of netball changing her life, boosting her confidence as a teenager and reinforcing her belief in the importance of women in society.

She started playing as a 16-year-old and said that had it not been for netball, her story, like so many teen girls in South Africa, could have been very different.

Msomi speaks of the role of netball to inspire a generation of young women and the obvious impact of a World Cup in South Africa.

The Proteas captain said playing at home to packed arenas, with the sport enjoying mass media coverage during the series against Australia, New Zealand and England, was unlike anything she had previously experienced in SA.

“The feeling of being introduced as representing South Africa is overwhelming. I have always been amazed by how we can come together as a country with different cultures, ideas, challenges and backgrounds, and have one passion and goal as a team.

“It was massive for the players to see the support and interest. Our performances lifted and we showed our ability to be competitive against the very best teams. To have the chance to host the world’s best teams in South Africa would simply be huge.”

Head coach Norma Plummer said the Proteas had earned the respect of the top sides.

“There was a time not too long ago when the Proteas were losing to the best teams by