The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) have named the two flagbearers for the opening ceremony at the 4th African Youth Games in Luanda on Saturday.
Ayabulela Gwama, a 16-year-old judo player and Tyrell Stewart, a 16-year-old weightlifter in the 65kg class, have been given the honour of carrying the country’s flag at an event that doubles as a qualifier for next year’s Youth Olympics in Senegal.
There are 88 athletes representing Team SA across 12 different sports in Luanda and the Games have a rich history of introducing young athletes to the international stage.
The team leader for Team SA in Angola, Leon Fleiser, offered his congratulations and support to the two flagbearers. “We put a lot of thought and discussion into appointing Ayabulela and Tyrell. We know what an honour it is for the athletes and it’s also something that we place great importance on. We have found two young athletes who have proven worthy of leading their team out at the opening ceremony and we say well done to them on their recognition.”
Deputy chef de mission, Sizwe Ndlovu, who was part of Team SA’s awesome foursome rowing gold at the 2012 London Olympics, paid tribute to the flagbearers. “There’s no higher accolade in sport than representing your country internationally, and to be able to carry the flag at an opening ceremony is a life experience. Well done to these two talented athletes, who are young ambassadors for South Africa.”
The President of SASCOC, Barry Hendricks, offered words of advice and encouragement to Ayabulela and Tyrell. He urged them to make the most of the opportunity.
“My message to our flagbearers is a simple one. Go out there and enjoy the experience. Soak in everything around you and make memories. You are one of a very small percentage of people who will ever be able to say that you carried your country’s flag in the opening ceremony of a major sporting event. Go out there and do yourself, your family and friends, and South Africa proud,” the president said.
The CEO of SASCOC, Ms Nozipho Jafta, said that this was a milestone moment in the lives of Ayabulela and Tyrell. “These African Youth Games have proven to be a launch pad in the careers of many athletes. We have had athletes who started at these Games and gone on through the Youth Olympics and onto the senior Commonwealth Games and Olympic stage.
“You have worked hard to be part of Team SA at these Games and now you are carrying the flag. Congratulations on the achievement and may you go onwards and upwards.”
These are the third African Youth Games that Team SA has competed in and these Games run until Saturday, 20th December.
