Cape Dreams News from in and around the Cape
HERMAN GIBBS
CAPE Town felt the heartbeat of international netball on Tuesday when the 2023 Netball World Cup Board officially unveiled the 2023 Netball World Cup logo at a press conference.
Since the announcement that Cape Town would be the 2023 World Cup hosts, passion has been running at a fever pitch in netball circles, and the unveiling of the logo served to ramp up the excitement.
The 2023 netball showpiece will be held over 10 days at Cape Town International Convention Centre, starting on July 17, 2023. South Africa, the host country, will be joined by 15 other countries. A total of 60 matches will be played before the tournament ends on August 8, 2023.
Liz Nicholl, the British sports administrator and current president of World Netball, joined the press conference via zoom link. A few days ago, the International Netball Federation, netball’s global governing body, changed its name to World Netball.
South Africans have in the past had a taste of World Cup events after hosting the Rugby World Cup in 1995, the Cricket World Cup in 2003 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010. The 2023 event will be the 16th version of the World Cup and will be the first to be staged on the African continent.
The 2023 Netball World Cup logo will serve as a point of identification for the netball fraternity and arouse excitement. It will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for South Africans and will provide a lasting legacy for netball in this country and beyond its borders on the continent.
Netball SA President Cecilia Molokwane said the eye-catchy logo discloses the feel and look of the 2023 Netball World Cup.
“This is an interesting time for netball globally. We are entering into a new dawn because just last week we were introduced to World Netball and got to see their new logo,” said Molokwane, who is also the World Netball Regional Director Africa.
“South Africa will be the first country to host the World Cup under the new name and logo.
“A name change offers one an opportunity to introspect, a chance to cement your place and to write your name in the history books.
“We are excited to be revealing the look and feel of the 2023 Netball World Cup. This is not only our World Cup as South Africa but that of the whole continent as well.”
Patience Shikwambana, Netball World Cup 2023 Board Chairperson, said the unveiling of the logo was another step in the hosting of a successful event.
“As members of the Netball World Cup 2023 Board, we are excited about today’s event,” said Shikwambana.
“We believe this is one of the many steps to take towards some of our obligations for hosting a successful World Cup.
“Image is an important aspect for any event and now that we have unveiled the logo, it’s time to get to work and increase our efforts on tasks ahead.
“COVID-19 has been a big challenge for us and therefore it’s important to be innovative and adapt.”
City of Cape Town’s Executive Mayor Dan Plato said the Netball World Cup will enhance the Mother City’s standing as a host of prestigious events.
“The launch of the official Netball World Cup logo brings us a step closer to Africa’s first-ever Netball World Cup,” said Plato.
“As the host city for this prestigious event, we are thrilled to be adding yet another major international sports event to our list of spectacular events. It has earned us the title of World’s Leading Festival and Event Destination.
“We look forward to working with all the stakeholders to put together a world-class netball showpiece.”
Apart from Liz Nicholl, several Word Netball officials around the world joined the press conference via zoom link.
CAPTION: Pictured at the Netball World Cup 2023 logo launch held in Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday, 8th of June 2021 are from left Khanyisa Chawane (SPAR Proteas); Izette Griesel (SPAR Proteas); Chairperson of the 2023 World Cup Board, Patience Shikwambana and Bongi Msomi (SPAR Proteas captain). Picture Credit: Roger Sedres