With just one day to go until the start of the Netball World Cup, national team captains shared a moment and participated in the traditional candle-lighting ceremony.
To mark the start of the tournament, the candle-lighting took place with much jubilation and African flavour in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Since the inaugural tournament in 1963, captains of each of the participating nations have taken part in the ceremony, which includes lighting a candle and pledging an oath to play in the spirit of true friendship and sportsmanship.
The candle lighting ceremony has become a symbol for international netball, celebrating the worldwide impact of the sport – a light that represents the history and the camaraderie of netball.
President of World Netball Dame Liz Nicholl addressed all 16 teams, tournament officials and dignitaries, including South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, saying: “This ceremony represents and reinforces our netball values.
“Even in the middle of thrilling and competitive world-class competition lies friendship and respect that we feel every day.
“This is an opportunity to reconnect with members of the Netball Family from around our world.”
Nicholl pointed out that 42 countries, over 500 athletes and numerous coaches and officials took part in the five regional qualifying tournaments to get to The Mother City for the world cup.
“We’re now here in Cape Town with the best 16 teams in the world and 23 world-class technical officials ready for what we know will be 10 days of absolutely fantastic competition,” she said.
The vibrant event gave the visiting teams a taste of what to expect at what promises to be an exuberant and colourful first ever netball world cup on African soil.
Spar Proteas will begin their campaign against Wales in their Pool C match at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday evening.
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