Wheelchair basketball still stands as one of the most unpopular yet potent sports, as it is continuously growing in leaps and bounds, with more exciting differently-abled young prospects making their mark on the global stage.
Just recently, three youngsters, Ayabonga Jim, Shane Williams, and Xola Yalezo, secured big moves to Europe. Jim and Williams signed with BSR Mucia from Spain, while Yalezo moved to Handi Sud Basket Marseille of France.
The trio will join young national team star Sphelele Dlamini on the international stage, who is currently playing in France for Club Lannion.
Having already commended and heaped praises on the trio set to raise the South African flag at the highest level of wheelchair basketball, coach Siphamandla Gumbi revealed some of the emerging stars who he believes have what it takes to make it big and attract international interest.
“South Africa is blessed with highly skilled and talented young players. A few exciting prospects to watch include Ntando Nakoma, Petros Mlife, Khanya Xundu, and Bofelo Ramonne,” Gumbi said speaking to Sunday World recently.
“These players have strong potential to attract international interest. On the women’s side, Michelle Mogamedi, Aviwe Ngoyi and Asive Gilifile are showing tremendous promise, along with several others coming through the ranks.
“These athletes have what it takes to represent South Africa at the highest level and continue raising the country’s profile in international wheelchair basketball.”
Already majority of Gumbi’s team travelled outside of the continent for the first time last year, when they went to Brazil to not only compete at the world championships, but to represent Africa after winning the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation’s championship.
Amawheelaboys, as the team is affectionately known, may not have won any game at the world champs, but they did win the hearts of the world with their gwijo in every match that they played.
With the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, completely closing the tap on funding for Basketball SA, wheelchair basketball will continue relying on the sole sponsorship of Sasol, who recently extended their 18-year partnership for a further four years.
The sponsorship renewal between Sasol and Wheelchair Basketball SA came at the right time, as the national team calendar is packed with important camps and qualifiers this year.
“This busy schedule reflects our commitment to preparation, exposure, and competitive excellence as we continue positioning South Africa among the top nations in Africa and globally,” Gumbi added.
Wheelchair Basketball SA confirmed match schedule:
IWBF Africa 3×3 CWG Qualifiers – Kigali, Rwanda (February 6–28)
National U25 Women Camp 4 (Holding Camp) – March 6–13
IWBF Africa U25 World Qualifiers – Kinshasa, DRC (March 14–21)
National Men & Women Camp 5 – Murcia, Spain (March 10–24)
IWBF Africa Men & Women World Qualifiers – Luanda, Angola
