Friday 26 October 2018 saw the Sasol AmaWheelaBoys take part in the annual sports day at the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital in Auckland Park. Since its inception 18 years ago, the event has become a beacon of hope which enables current and former patients to celebrate the potential that can be attained regardless of live changing situations. The 2018 annual sports day was once again celebrated by many including patients, families and other individuals living with a disability.
For AmaWheelaBoys the day was all about interacting with patients living with disabilities. The patients got proceedings underway with a 4-a-side wheelchair basketball match, a fun activity which saw the young and elderly alike take to the court and entertain spectators.
“It was not just a day of playing sport it was an opportunity for the AmaWheelaBoys to show their goodwill to patients and demonstrate that a disability doesn’t have to limit you” said Gerhard Smith, team manager of the AmaWheelaBoys.
The main event featured the Sasol AmaWheelaBoys’ exhibition match against the Mandeville Eagles. The match drew many spectators with everyone left in awe by the athleticism displayed by both teams. “The support was amazing, and you could really tell that the people were enjoying themselves” added Smith.
Sasol Brand Marketing Manager, Nozipho Mbatha was pleased with the day’s activities and underlined the importance of developing sport in South Africa. “Sasol is a company with a proudly South African heritage making great strides in supporting the development of national sport. Today was another demonstration of our commitment to inclusion and diversity in South Africa by supporting sport for people with disabilities, we want to raise the profile of disabled sport and the development of wheelchair basketball in South Africa” she said.
Thato Moloi a patient at the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital was impressed by the AmaWheelaBoys exhibition match. “These guys are good, I was amazed by how quick and skilful they are. They have inspired me to be better and I hope that one day I can be like them”.
For more information to get involved visit the wheelchair basketball website wbsa.basketball.co.za or follow the team on Facebook and Twitter @amawheelaboys
