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The Eastern Cape Indigenous Games quartet of Malibongwe Tyatyeka, Emihle Funani, Sabelo Jobo and Soli Mayende are gearing up with the South African team for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup starting in India on Friday.
The tournament, hosted in New Delhi until January 19, is expected to feature more than 600 athletes and officials from 24 countries, competing in both men’s and women’s categories.
Mayende from Joe Gqabi, Funani from Chris Hani, Tyatyeka who has been the captain of the East Cape Kho Kho team and Jobo from Amathole were selected from the recent National Indigenous Games.
The name Kho Kho might not ring a bell for many but in coming years it might do so should the SA team acquit themselves well in Delhi.
Kenya, Uganda and Ghana are the only other African nations representing the continent.
Kho Kho is a traditional Indian sport, one of the oldest outdoor sports dating back to ancient India.
It is played on a rectangular court with a central lane connecting two poles which are at either end of the court.
During the game, nine players from the chasing team (attacking team) are on the field, with eight of them sitting (crouched) in the central lane, while three “runners” from the defending team run around the court and try to avoid being touched.
The sport is widely played across South Asia and has a strong presence in regions outside South Asia, such as England and SA.
Eastern Cape Indigenous Games Association president Nkosinathi Biko, from Nxuba (formerly Cradock) and the president of the Kho Kho Federation of SA, said the team was ready for the World Cup.
He said the Eastern Cape entourage had touched down in Gauteng on Monday where all the provinces would put in final touches.
“The World Cup is the first one so it will be vacant for everyone,” Biko said.
“It will be the first time teams from different continents meet to compete.
“We have been studying and watching tapes of how the other countries are playing.
“We are confident we are not behind if you recall that SA is one of the rated countries in terms of the sport.”
Eastern Cape sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Sibulele Ngongo congratulated the four athletes.
“We are proud of the performance of these learners who have earned a spot in the South African Kho Kho team.
“These athletes are not only flying the Eastern Cape flag high but also the country that is represented by different cultures and heritage,” she said.
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