The Sasol U23-AmaWheelieBoys team is headed to Turkey to participate in the 2022 Mini World Cup Friendly hosted by the Turkish Sports Federation for the Physically Disabled from 12 August till 14 August. The tournament will prepare the U23 team for the IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship taking place in Phuket, Thailand, in September.
The AmaWheelieBoys travelled to Thailand recently to participate in the Thailand Tri-Nations tournament as part of finding their rhythm with Coach Trooper Johnson. Johnson joined Wheelchair Basketball South Africa early this year as the Head Coach. Trooper has great accolades, and his experience will be great for the young players.
Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship said, “We wish the Sasol AmaWheelieBoys all the best for the 2022 Mini World Cup Friendly. The hard work and determination of the team to ensure their readiness for the IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship is evidenced through their commitment. We believe they will seize this opportunity to prepare for the Championship while also continuing to live the impossible as they go up against some tough teams in the Friendly.”
WBSA Director Gerry Smith expressed his sentiments about the tournament, “The opportunity for the Sasol AmaWheelieBoys to travel to Turkey to participate in the 2022 Mini World Cup Friendly Tournament is appreciated! We want to thank Sasol and the Turkish Sports Federation for the Physically Disabled.”
Head Coach Trooper Johnson is under no illusion that this warm-up tournament will t be challenging, as the team will play against some powerful opposition. The Spanish team is the best U23 side in the world and goes into the U23 World Championships as favourites.
Smith continued by adding, “Germany and Turkey are always strong contenders on the global stage, so this calibre of opposition is undoubted and gives us an excellent opportunity to get our match level up as high as possible ahead of Thailand. We also look forward to competing against the Egyptian Senior Team, the current African Champions.”
