LOBAMBA – Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harris ‘Madze’Bulunga gave blessing to four youth athletes to represent the country at the seventh edition of the Commonwealth Games to be staged in Trindad and Tobago.
Bulunga bid farewell to Team Eswatini made up of Mayibongwe Vilakati and Sibusisiwe Mabuza (both from athletics) and the duo of swimming sensation Hayley Hoy and Damian de Sousa at the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) Hheadquarters in Lobamba.
The year 2000 staged the first ever Commonwealth Youth Games, giving young athletes aged between 14-18 a platform to develop their skills and gain valuable experience on the international stage.
Now, 23 years later, Trinidad and Tobago is preparing to host the seventh edition of the Games starting on Friday August 4 and ending August 11. For the first time, para-athletes will be competing in athletics at this event.
Like the main Games, the para sport schedule will be completely integrated and allow developing athletes to progress to represent senior teams at major international championships in the future.
Bulunga was in the presence of EOCGA President Adam ‘Bomber’Mthethwa, Vice President Zakhele Dlamini, CEO Maxwell Jele, Ewatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC) CEO Darius Dlomo and EOCGA Board member Lee-Ann Young.
The Commonwealth Youth Games was an idea born in Scotland as a way to encourage young athletes to continue with their sports once they hit the seniors.
Dame Louise Martin, now the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, was part of that original think-tank and explains what they wanted to achieve.
“We were losing too many young athletes from around the age of 14. Everything was age-related and they were fantastic in their youth but the minute they transitioned to the seniors – well everyone is equal.
“Many of them started to drop out – some of them were not winning anymore and others were just overawed.”
TEAM ESWATINI FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES 2023;
Mayibongwe Vilakati- athletics
Sibusisiwe Mabuza- athletics
Hayley Hoy- swimming
Damian de Sousa- swimming
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