Local swimmer off to Italy to participate in TriColor Games

Nhlanhla Bongumusa Mofokeng from the Boksburg Aquatic Saints and Lifesaving Club is one the athletes the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation sent to represent South Africa at the TriColor Games taking place in Italy from July 24 to 30.

The team of 132 young athletes from across Gauteng, aged 16 and under, will join more than 1 000 other athletes from over 20 countries.

The seventh edition of the TriColor Games will take place in the city of Reggio Emilia and the Gauteng team will include sporting codes such as chess, football, rugby, basketball, swimming and athletics.

This will be the second time the province will be sending a team to participate in the games, which are held every four years and the first time was in 2018 when only 90 athletes were sent.

Mofokeng is over the moon about jetting off to Italy. He has been working hard and eating healthy.

“I also stay focused to keep the right mindset. I hope to reach the final and get a medal, so I can come back home knowing I did my country proud.”

A send-off was held for the athletes at the Brixton Multipurpose Centre, outside the Johannesburg City Centre recently.

It was a moment to be proud for many who likewise came to witness including the former High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland Nomathemba Tambo, who is the daughter of the late OR Tambo.

Others who offered messages of support were Vivian Lottering (the president of Gauteng Sport Confederation), Maurizio Mariana (a South African of Italian origin), Elsie Muthambi (Sleepwear), and Racky Govender from Bosch Car Services.

Yaseen Lombard from Gauteng Sports Council will be head of mission (Chef de Mission) for the team.

In his message, Lombard assured parents of the safety and care of the athletes but also called on the team to outdo the 2018 team who were exceptional. They won gold in rugby, silver in girls’ football and were overall winners (gold) in swimming.

Acting head of the Department for Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation, China Mashinini, told the athletes to “never be afraid to showcase their tenacity and resistance on the field but also remain humble and always in good behaviour”.

Also Read: Boksburg Aquatic Saints swimmers impress

Also Read: Local achieves goal at Midmar Mile