Share

Mbalula happy after Games trip

Johannesburg - Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula is content with the conditions of the Olympic Village after visiting the South African team in London.

Mbalula spent half a day in the village and officiated a flag-raising ceremony with chef de mission Patience Shikwambana, the ministry of sport and recreation said in a statement on Monday.

"I am quite satisfied with the quality of living for our athletes," Mbalula said.

He hoped the SA Olympic team had taken confidence from the Proteas cricket team's victory over England, including a national Test record of 311 runs by Hashim Amla, and Ernie Els's victory in the Open Championship at the weekend.

"Hopefully with the motivation they received from Ernie Els, Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith [who made a century in his 100th Test] and the Proteas' win on British soil will inject some dose of podium finish," Mbalula said.

The sports ministry said Shikwambana had taken Mbalula on a tour of Tuscan House, where the South Africans are based for the three-week Games.

Mbalula inspected the athletes' medical facilities and living environment.

The 30th Olympic Games officially start in London on Friday, with the opening ceremony, but the South African team will begin their campaign when Olympic debutants Banyana Banyana face Sweden in their first match of the women's football tournament on Wednesday night.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Ulster 38
Benetton 27
loading... Live
Scarlets 20
Sharks 27
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 941 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 459 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE