Local to serve on handball national executive
He was elected as the second deputy president of the South African Handball Federation.
Daveyton resident Nsizwa Mahlangu is the new second deputy president of the South African Handball Federation after being elected at the federation’s elective conference at Olympic House on May 21.
The new leadership will be led by Nompumelelo Ntsangase. Thabo Tutu, Mahlangu and Clifford Morake will serve as her deputies.
Mahlangu has been in the sport for more than 20 years. He told the City Times he has finally achieved his goal following his disappointment at the 2019 elective conference.
“In 2019 I contested for the deputy president position but I lost. I want to thank God for this opportunity. I have been in the sport for a long time and because of my perseverance, I’m finally where I have always wanted to be.”
The Gauteng Handball Association chairperson stated their mandate is to introduce initiatives that will uplift the sport.
“I have lots of experience. We are going to reshape the sport and make sure that it gets exposure.
“We want to create partnerships with local outlets such as the media, schools and different sports federations. We want the sport to be well-known and played across the country in the next four years.
“It’s critical that we professionalise the sport so that we can attract sponsorship. We are taking part in the Zone VI games in Zimbabwe this year. We want our players to play with pride, knowing that they are getting something out of the game.”
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On the continent, the north has dominated the sport since the first continental championship in 1974. No other nation except Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt has won the African title. What will it take to break this dominance?
Mahlangu emphasised that the SAHF needs to do more to make the sport attractive.
“We are still developing the sport. Gauteng had the best model where we produced talented players, coaches and officials. But due to things unbeknown to me, we are back where we started.
“In Africa, we definitely want to conquer. But it will take a lot more work to achieve that. We have to try to make the game appealing so that sponsors can come on board. If we can do that, we can dominate the continent and maybe the world.”
Global domination seems unlikely as the stranglehold lies in Europe where handball is a staple in 52 countries. Their dominance is replicated on the world stage as no non-European country has won the IHF men’s title while the women’s trophy has remained in Europe on all but two occasions.
“Trying to compete with the Europeans at this moment is unrealistic. Handball as a sport is established. They have broadcast media deals and sponsorship and for players, it’s a career.
“We want to establish our own league. Currently, in Daveyton plans are afoot to start such a league. Coach Lee Mdakane has identified three key areas where we are going to start.”
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