This update comes to you from an altitude of 10363 metres at a groundspeed of 892km per hour, with just over five hours to go before I touchdown back home at Oliver Tambo International airport.

We have now finally launched the National Coaches Framework and the turn-up at this event was very encouraging.

I've just returned from the Caribbean where the Commonwealth Games Association of St Kitts & Nevis hosted a very successful Commonwealth Games Federation elective congress.

Our final media briefing of the year went off very well this week and judging by the questions and comments we had, all indications are that there will be substantial interest in the South African team for the London Olympics next year.

We are living in the most exciting times in South African sport as we go through dales and vales. Every day there is something that catches the eye and you get distracted from what you are pursuing.

We are already now starting to have an idea of how the qualifying process is going for next year's Olympic Games in London.

The big question that we must answer now that we have conquered Africa in Maputo and our youth have shown mettle on the Isle of Man in the Commonwealth Youth Games, is whether we can deliver on our promise of 12 medals in London. We remain confident that 12 medals in London are still within our reach.

Driving from the magnificent airport in Maputo to the stately Polana Hotel, I was saddened by the neglect of what once was the playground of the rich during the colonial days.

The recent SA Sports Awards were one big razzmatazz as Sports Minister Fikie Mbalula promised it would be. The resuscitation of these awards will serve as further incentives to our sportspeople to do well.

For me the most interesting development in the most recent period was the Sports & Events Tourism Exchange Conference held in Cape Town.