The 2025 Toyota SASAPD National Championships officially began off with a vibrant opening ceremony at the Feather Market Centre in Gqeberha.
During the event, SASAPD President, Jean Miggels, highlighted that a key focus for the federation over the next four years would be the sport of goalball, with hopes of achieving a historic milestone similar to boccia’s breakthrough at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Boccia achieved a major milestone at the 2024 Paralympic Games when the BC3 pair of Elanza Jordaan and Karabo Morapedi became the first South African boccia players to represent the country at the Paralympic Games. This achievement stands as a testament to the country’s growing presence in adaptive sports, a success that goalball now aspires to replicate.
Team SA’s performance in Paris last year, winning two gold and four bronze medals, served as a source of inspiration for the evening’s celebrations, where athletes who represented South Africa were honoured and recognised for their remarkable achievements.
SASCOC President, Barry Hendricks, expressed his pride in the athletes’ success, stating, “I have had the pleasure of being with some of the athletes who competed in Tokyo and Paris, and that’s why it’s an honour to be here, where the future champions are competing.”
He further encouraged the young athletes, saying, “No matter where you come from, you have the potential to become a champion. SASCOC’s vision for the next four years is to empower Paralympians to inspire their communities and become the world’s best. Each of you has the chance to represent South Africa in Los Angeles 2028 and Australia 2032, and I look forward to seeing you there.”
Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, and Culture MEC Sibulele Ngongo welcomed all participants to the province, acknowledging their strength and resilience. “These athletes don’t just challenge stereotypes; they shatter them completely,” Ngongo said, also making special mention of the team from Lesotho competing at this year’s championships.
The first round robin matches of the Boccia individual competition began at Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus, with Paralympian Elanza Jordaan quickly asserting her dominance in the BC3 female group. After a convincing victory over Sheena Hwami, Jordaan heads into her next match brimming with confidence. Boccia will continue on Sunday, alongside Goalball, CP Football, para-swimming, and para-athletics.
