VANDERBIJLPARK. – Two local sports stars Marli Dimond (athletics: HS Transvalia) and Maritske Rautenbach (netball: HS Dr. Malan) have made the squad of 209 athletes that will compete in Malawi from 2-12 December.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has
announced a powerful squad of 209 athletes to compete across 11 different
sporting codes for the 2022 Region V Games in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 2-12
December.

These Games mark the 10th occasion that they are held and they are expected to
attract some 3 000 athletes in total from 10 southern African countries. South
Africa is traditionally one of the most successful nations at the event.

“These Games are an important fixture on the sporting calendar,” said SASCOC
president Mr Barry Hendricks. “We have seen over the past decade that they have
always unearthed future world-class talent and this year will be no different. Last
year the right decision was made to withdraw our squad from the event in Maseru
after an outbreak of Covid-19, but we are confident that next month the region
will see the very best from our athletes.”

The CEO of SASCOC, Ms Nozipho Jafta, commented: “We are delighted to be taking
such a strong squad of young athletes and we have an experienced management
team to oversee them. These Games are vitally important in the development of
an athlete’s career. The likes of our Olympians, Wayde van Niekerk and Caster
Semenya, who became track legends, are a product of these Games.
“Many of the athletes across Team SA in Malawi will go on to become Olympians
and Paralympians. Through our Operation Excellence Programme (OPEX), we are
identifying young future stars and supporting them through their careers. This is
another opportunity to showcase the importance of OPEX as we build towards the
2024 and 2028 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris and LA, respectively,” she added.
Team SA squad for AUSC Region V Games