The South African U23 men’s wheelchair basketball team is set to compete in the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) U23 Men’s Africa Championship, which will take place from February 6th to February 13th at Mandeville Sports & Social Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. This exciting tournament serves as the African qualifier for the upcoming IWBF U23 World Championships scheduled to take place 12 – 20 June 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, offering the continent’s top teams a chance to secure their spot on the global stage.
As the host nation, South Africa will face fierce competition from teams across the continent, including Libya, Liberia, DRC Congo, Kenya, and Egypt. With national pride at stake, the team is determined to showcase their talent and fight for the opportunity to represent Africa on the world stage.
Sasol, a longstanding supporter of wheelchair basketball in South Africa, continues to play an important role in the sport, creating opportunity for these players to rise to stardom and unearthing hidden talent, said Dean Somerset, Sasol Manager: Sponsorship and Brand.
“We are thrilled to see the South African U23 Men’s team competing against the best in Africa right here at home. Our commitment to wheelchair basketball is rooted in our belief that these athletes embody the spirit of ‘Live the Impossible.’ Through our partnership, we aim to create inspire future generations. We wish the team all the best as they fight to represent the continent in São Paulo.”
With Sasol’s unwavering support and the team’s determination, the IWBF U23 Men’s Africa Wheelchair Basketball Championship promises to be an exhilarating display of skill, resilience, and passion. Gerry Smith, Performance Director of Wheelchair Basketball South Africa:
“Our team is ready and eager to compete at the IWBF Africa Men’s Tournament. The dedication and hard work of our athletes have been remarkable, and we are confident in their ability to showcase their talent on the international stage. Our longstanding partnership with Sasol has been instrumental in developing differently abled athletes with opportunities to excel in the sport. Their commitment goes beyond, it’s about building an inclusive sporting landscape where all athletes can thrive.” Said Wheelchair Basketball South Africa High-performance director, Gerry Smith.
The 12 players and the technical team that will represent South Africa is as follows:
The first few days of the tournament are earmarked for coaches and technical team’s workshops. The first round of matches will kick off on Thursday, 6 February. The matches will be broadcast on the WBSA social media pages for regular updates and to watch the matches’ live follow:
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