It’s all systems go as the Netball World Cup 2023 gets underway in Cape Town TODAY! This is Africa’s first time hosting the event.
Some 16 competing teams have been arriving to the Mother City over the past few weeks, gearing up for 10 days of riveting netball action.
It is important for Cape Town residents to use alternative routes in the CBD, as a number of roads will be closed for the duration of the World Cup. Additionally traffic flow in the city will be affected.
These road closures will be implemented from July 21 to August 7, 2023.
Excitement Building in Cape Town
Speaking ahead of the Netball World Cup 2023, Tournament Director Priscilla Masisi says all preparations are complete and the venue is ready for the explosive event.
“It’s been a long journey but finally we are here,” she says. “We are ready to go, the place looks beautiful, thinking that we started with an empty venue that didn’t have anything and we had to build it up from scratch, putting in the seats, the lighting, the rigging and also ensuring that everything is up to standard,” Masisi said.
Masis also says some 300 volunteers were recruited from across the country – and abroad – to assist with the smooth running of the tournament.
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Festivities Building Gees
A traditional captain’s candle-lighting ceremony took place on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a free-for-all concert was hosted at the Netball World Cup fan park. Local music heavyweights such as Simmy, Goodluck, Kurt Darren and Nasty C performed at the fan park, outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), where the tournament will take place.
Later in the week, a players’ dinner was arranged for Thursday evening.
But the mega-exciting official opening ceremony will follow at 4PM today. Just prior to the opening ceremony, the South African National Defence Force will reportedly conduct a fly-by above the CTICC.
In case you were wondering, the fan park is a space where netball and sports fan can enjoy the atmosphere of the tournament – without a ticket! Awesome, right! It is the official viewing area for the Netball World Cup, equipped with big screens, food stands and family-friendly activities.
Netball World Cup Fixtures
The Netball World Cup 2023 kicks off with the defending champions New Zealand going head-to-head with Trinidad and Tobago, while Tonga faces with Fiji, both at 9AM today.
Eleven-time champions Australia will have their showdown with Zimbabwe at 11AM. Meanwhile Singapore takes on the She Cranes at 11AM.
The opening ceremony is set to take place at 4PM. Just before hosts South Africa begin their campaign against Wales at 6PM. At the same time, Jamaica takes on Sri Lanka.
The final matches will see Barbados up against England, with Malawi facing off against Scotland at 8PM.
City brings Netball World Cup action to communities.
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department is bringing Netball World Cup 2023 action to communities with four public viewing areas.
See: https://t.co/5AVzaZHSK1#CTNews #CommunityServicesandHealth pic.twitter.com/XtbiThLAzW
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) July 25, 2023
Netball World Cup 2023 Board Chairperson, Patience Shikwambana says she is ecstatic over the arrival of the event. “It was not easy… I don’t want to say it was smooth sailing. There were issues and challenges that we had to deal with,” Shikwambana said. “We have always said this event must leave a legacy. It is a legacy where there must be more netball courts in the entire country. There must be a legacy in terms of inspiring our girls,” she said.
The Netball World Cup 2023 takes place from 28 July to 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. You find more information here.
