AmaWheelaBoys squad to play in qualifiers announced

Sasol AmaWheelaBoys squad for the 2019 IWBF announced.

By Annette van Schalkwyk

The AmaWheelaBoys squad was announced after a three-day programme designed to determine the selection of the South African wheelchair basketball players in preparation for the 2019 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Africa Paralympic qualifiers and subsequent 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

The training camp took place at the Mandeville Indoor Sports Centre on July 14 and involved a series of biometric testing, skills development and a competitive match between the current Sasol AmaWheelaBoys and those trying to break their way into the team.

Also read: Hard work leads Amawheelaboys to Dubai championships

A 16-man squad was announced by head coach Lydia Dumond who will now form the core group through the team’s preparations.

Dumond said she was pleased with the level of commitment on display this weekend.

“The players showed real hunger and determination to secure their place on the squad which was heartening. After a decent showing against top opposition in the Fazza Championship in Dubai we will be looking kick-on, work hard and ensure we are in the best shape possible ahead of next year’s Paralympic qualifiers. I have full confidence in the squad we have assembled and I am sure they will do South Africa proud over the coming year.”

Also read: Amawheelaboys move up in Fazza tournament

The squad, who will now begin building towards the 2019 Paralympic qualifiers in earnest, was announced on Saturday evening and consists of a mix of exciting young talent and experience. The High-Performance Coaching Commission, tasked with making the selection, named three uncapped players, including Sipho Ike Monti, Simangaye Shabalala and Bonginkosi Witbooi, who will be looking to impress alongside the likes of stalwarts Cecil Dumond and Thandile Zonke.

Sasol’s Group Brand Marketing manager Nozipho Mbatha said, “As partners to Wheelchair Basketball South Africa, we were immensely pleased to see the level of preparation and effort being put into our national wheelchair basketball team. The team is heading into a vital period and it is important that these preparations begin early. Our support of the Sasol AmaWheelaBoys is not only in line with Sasol’s overall support of people with disabilities but we believe they are a top class national team who will do us proud over the coming period. We have full confidence in the team and would like to wish them the best of luck.”