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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms Beauty Dlulane, congratulated Australia which was crowned netball world champions in Cape Town.

Australia beat England (61-45) in the final which was played at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town today.

Ms Dlulane said netball has gained so much exposure which would not have been possible were the World Cup was not played here. She said: “Without taking the glare and the shine from the Aussie Diamonds, we are proud of how our African teams fared. Spar Proteas were that close to making the semi-final, but it was not to be. The success satisfies the committee.”

“Netball SA, SASCOC and all the sponsors should build on this momentum and never look back. At the next World Cup, South Africa should be in the finals. Margins are not that dire between all the participating nations,” added Ms Dlulane.

Ms Dlulane said South Africa should be proud for hosting a successful event which gained so much following not only in South Africa but in the whole world.  “The event positioned South Africa as a global player in hosting global events. Much consideration should be accorded to diplomacy through women sports.”

In the same breadth, the committee congratulated Banyana Banyana which went down to Netherlands in Australia earlier. “We are so proud of our girls, and we must show them support and appreciation for what they have achieved down under.” Earlier in the year South Africa successfully hosted the Women T20 Cricket World Cup.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, Beauty Dlulane