The much-anticipated inaugural Sasol Live the Impossible wheelchair basketball tournament is underway as the SA men’s senior team, SA U23’s, and Kuwait graced the Mandeville sports club, in Bezuidenhout Valley, Johannesburg, on Monday.
All three teams were in action. The U23s, also known as Sasol Amawheelaboys, succumbed to a 61-54 defeat to the SA men’s senior team. This was in the first game and lost 77-42 to Kuwait in the last game.
Ahead of the tournament, Sasol, alongside Wheelchair Basketball South Africa (WBSA), hosted a dinner on Sunday night. There they welcomed the Kuwait wheelchair basketball team in style.
Home and away kit for the SA men’s team unveiled
They also unveiled the home and away kit that will be worn by both the SA men’s senior team and AmawheelaBoys.
Sasol Brand and Sponsorships manager Dean Somerset spoke to Sunday World after the prestigious event. He said the tournament aims to bridge the gap between abled and disabled athletes.
“As Sasol, we are very deliberate in terms of our efforts to close the gap between abled and disabled sportspeople . In particular wheelchair basketball,” Somerset said.
“The inaugural Sasol Live the Impossible tournament is just the platform for our players. For them to showcase their skills, depth, and talents, comparing it against our visiting team Kuwait. Because we know that team is well-rounded.
“So, we believe that the work that coach Trooper and his team have done with AmawheelaBoys and the U23s is to prepare the team to be competitive. We are quite confident where we are going with this tournament. Also the performance of the teams for the week lying ahead.”
Live the Impossible slogan
Somerset also explained the meaning behind the slogan “Live the Impossible” that was given to the tournament.
“Live the impossible is the Sasol sponsorship mantra. It means that we disabled athletes get equal opportunities to showcase what they are capable of doing.
“And we have seen some of these players playing the best of wheelchair basketball like any other athletes. Showing that they are equal and skilled. Even through all the challenges and societal pressures that differently abled athletes come with, they have concurred.
“They have concurred to the point that they are now international players. And they have excelled at an international level.
Prize-giving ceremony
“So, as Sasol, we know the importance of giving them that opportunity to apply their skills. This so that they can live the impossible life on and off the court.”
The Sasol Live the Impossible tournament is set to be played until Friday. Then there will be a prize-giving and crowning of the champions.
