The year 2023 kicks off with several international sport events in different sport disciplines which are set to take place at various centres around the country. Some of these sport events, such as Table Tennis and Netball, are preludes of the main sport activities to take place later in the year.
In a major announcement on the international sport events to be hosted by South Africa, Minister Nathi Mthethwa commented as follows:
“Whilst more has been reported on the hosting of the 2023 Netball World Cup by South Africa, little is known about the other major events that will kick-start our national sport programme for the 2023 calendar year. Whereas the hosting of major sport events has a lot to do with sports’ entertainment value, our decisions have more to do with sports’ contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Indeed the 2010 FIFA World Cup is said to have made a positive economic impact to the order of US$509 million to the 2010 real GDP. Whilst we have to be circumspect about the number and nature of events we host, the impact on the country’s economic recovery has to be weighed against the opportunity cost of not doing so”.
“As early as the first quarter of 2023”, the Minister added,” the country will host several major events in the disciplines of Men’s and Women’s Cricket, Netball and Table Tennis. Additionally, as part of South Africa assuming Chairship of the BRICS Ministers of Sport Forum, we will also be hosting the 2023 BRICS Games this year”.
By way of specific events, the following will be hosted by South Africa in the first quarter of 2023:
1. Table Tennis
World Table Tennis Championships to take place in Durban from 8 to 15 January, ahead of the actual Championships which take place in the same Province in May.
2. Netball
Netball Quad Series which takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 21 to 25 January will see the Proteas taking on their counterparts from Australia, England and New Zealand ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup that takes place at the same venue in July/August.
3. Cricket
ICC U/19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, which will be held in Potchefstroom and Benoni from 14 to 29 January. This will be the first edition of the event.
SA20 Cricket League which will be held for the first time at several venues from 10 to 23 January.
8th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 which takes place at Newlands/Paarl/Gqeberha from 10 to 26 January.
It goes without saying that Table Tennis, Netball and Cricket fans should look forward to quality matchups featuring the best teams in the world!
Enquiries:
Masechaba Khumalo
Minister’s Spokesperson
Tel: 066 380 7408
Mickey Modisane
Chief Director- Stakeholder Relations & Special Projects
Tel: 082 992 0101
ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE
