The draw for the men’s and women’s water polo tournaments at the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome from July 17-August 2, sees South Africa being drawn in a tough groups.
South Africa didn’t go to last year’s Beijing Olympics, a decision which didn’t sit well with the codes, but SASCOC president Gideon Sam has repeatedly said that there ÔÇ£is no room for passengersÔÇØ to London 2012.
Which means that the men’s water polo team will need to perform well in the World Championships to get a tick in the right box.
The draw is:
Men’s Group A: South Africa, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, United States.
Group B: Canada, Croatia, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia.
Group C: Germany, China, Australia, Italy.
Group D: Hungary, Brazil, Spain, Romania.
Women’s Group A: Uzbekistan, Russia, New Zealand, Germany.
Group B: China, United States, Canada, Brazil.
Group C: Italy, Greece, South Africa, Spain.
Group D: Hungary, Kazakhstan, Australia, Holland.
At the same time, was held the draw for the 15th FINA World Men’s Water Polo Junior Championships, in Sibenik, Croatia, from August 22-30, and for the 8th FINA World Women’s Water Polo Junior Championships, taking place in the Russian city of Khanty-Mansyisk from August 9-15.┬á
The South African junior men have a tough time ahead in Group A, paired with Montenegro, Hungary and Croatia.
South Africa’s junior women are in Group D, alongside France, Kazakhstan and Russia.