Ahead of the eagerly anticipated Netball World Cup tournament in Cape Town, Netball SA boss Celiclia Molokwane on why the SPAR Proteas must win the opening match.
The netball SA boss, Molokwane says winning the first game of the SPAR Proteas will raise hopes for the nation and will definitely set the tone.
ALSO READ I SPAR Proteas skipper Msomi bags personalised shoes from Puma
The SPAR Proteas will open their World Cup account against ninth-ranked Wales on Friday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
NETBALL SA BOSS ON WINNING THE OPENING MATCH
As the pressure and excitement are building for the SPAR Proteas with just a few days left to go to the Netball World Cup, Molokwane has rallied behind the team.
She said the netball senior national team will have to set a tone in their opening match of the competition in front of home crowds.
ALSO READ I SPAR Proteas’ Chawane is fearless ahead of Netball World Cup
“The importance of winning the opening game is giving South Africans the hope to say we are not just following the Spar Proteas but we are following a winning team,” she said.
“When you lose the first game on home soil it demoralises the people from watching the next game, will they go to the quarterfinals? Will they make it? The first win will give South Africans hope.”
ALSO READ I SPAR Proteas’ van der Merwe speaks unity in the team
NETBALL SA ON FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SPAR PROTEAS
The charismatic netball president, Molokwane said they have invested a lot of money in the preparations and they cannot settle for less.
“You might think Wales are just another team but it’s an opening game and it’s a big game for them,” she added.
“We haven’t put so much effort and resources into this team for us not to end up on the podium.
ALSO READ I Bongi Msomi headlines Netball SA’s final World Cup squad
“We have done something we had never done before, we did Project Victory with SuperSport and it cost a lot of money.”
Meanwhile, the Proteas have received a massive boost as the technical sponsor, Puma opened a store away from the World Cup hosting venue.
Meanwhile, coach Norma Plummer’s side secured a top-four finish at the previous tournament in Liverpool.
The Proteas have been placed in Group C alongside Wales, Sri Lanka, and, Jamaica.