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Le Clos continues to make a splash in pool

File photo: Chad Le Clos of South Africa is a firm favourite to lift a gold medal at the World Champs in Barcelona Photo: Getty Images
File photo: Chad Le Clos of South Africa is a firm favourite to lift a gold medal at the World Champs in Barcelona Photo: Getty Images

THIS week is magical by its nature and character.

Chad le Clos just cannot stop. He keeps raising the bar. We are proud of this swimming star.

He truly deserves to be the reigning SA Sport Star of the Year.

It is not surprising that he is still in the running for the coveted award in this year where he faces a stiff challenge from US Open and British Open tennis champion Lucas Sithole.

Since this is the month of people with disabilities, Sithole is also a deserving hero on the sporting front.

Hashim Amla, now this is a cricketer extraordinaire. He walked away with this coveted prize in 2011. In him we have a hero.

When young people look for a hero, they need look no further. He, too, is the king.

Itumeleng Khune - everyone will tell you that he made his mark on the footballing pitch. To athletics, Mapaseka Makhanya is a doyenne. She made it to be among the best five in the country.

Back to football, where Orlando Pirates will be entering the land of the Pharaohs. No mercy!

Last night, we rolled out the redcarpet for these soldiers who will be flying our South African flag higher. In Orlando Pirates we trust. We are going to Cairo to collect another star on behalf of the southern African region.

Nothing and no one will stop us from achieving that. We don't roll out red carpet for mediocrity, but for champions. You earned it, Pirates.

When we were in Namibia two weeks ago, the government of Namibia said their hopes and prayers are with Pirates, hence this star is not only a South African star, but the southern African star.

I don't have any shred of doubt that they will make us proud, like Chad le Clos and Roland Schoeman did in the swimming this week.

The Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) Zone VI Council of Ministers is taking place in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe this week.

The third session of the AU Conference of Ministers of Sport (Cams) was held from October 12-16 2009 in Abuja, Nigeria. A number of decisions were taken during the conference, among them being the dissolution of the SCSA after the 10th All Africa Games held in Maputo.

This gathering in Bulawayo will be the first ministerial session after the official dissolution of the SCSA.

The meeting will again deal with the dissolution of the SCSA, discuss the declaration of SCSA assets to be transferred to the AU Commission with immediate effect, and the creation of a transitional committee to oversee the process to the finish.

AU member states were since requested to second candidates at their own expense to assist with the integration of the SCSA into the AU Commission.

South Africa has forwarded Mr Steve Chabalala and a decision is yet to be communicated by the AU Commission.

  • Mbalula is Minister of Sport and Recreation and executive member of World Anti-Doping Agency

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