Minister of Sport and Recreation Rev. Dr. Makhenkesi Stofile applauded Team South Africa for restoring the integrity of the Green and Gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Stofile, writing to SASCOC president Gideon Sam, described the squad’s performance in getting 12 gold medals, 33 in total and a fifth place finish among 71 nations as ‘sterling’.
He also urged all of South Africa to unite in their support for Team South Africa in preparation for London’s 2012 Olympics.
‘It (2010) has┬ábeen┬áa┬ásuccessful┬áyear┬áfor┬áSouth┬áAfrica,┬áand┬áyou┬áhave┬áhelped┬áelevate┬áthe┬áexcitement┬áof the South African people on the sporting front. To say we are proud of your achievements will be an understatement. You have continued to make us proud.’
Stofile was particular in his praise for the medical team for their efforts with a squad of such diversity in sporting disciplines and commended the management, led by Chef de Mission Patience Shikwambana, for being such outstanding ambassadors for South Africa.
‘I┬áwould┬áalso┬álike┬áto┬ácongratulate┬áthe┬áteam┬ámanagement┬áfor┬ásteering┬ásuch┬áa┬álarge┬áyet┬ádisciplined congregation of various personalities. The┬áamazing┬ájob┬ádone┬áby┬áthe┬ámedical┬áteam┬ácannot┬ágo unnoticed; we remain ever grateful for their time and expertise.’
Stofile said the country needed to turn its attention to London’s 2012 Olympics and hoped that the success at the Commonwealth served as motivation for an improved 2012 Olympic performance, when compared with the solitary medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Stofile, in saluting the athletes, said: ‘Remember┬áto┬áalways┬ástay┬áhumble┬áin┬áyour┬ávictory┬áand┬ánever┬áforget that we as a nation are behind you every step of the way. We salute you.’
Sam, in response to Stofile, said: ‘The recognition is noted with humility. Our role as SASCOC is to make the country proud.’