29.03.2026
Latest

SASAPD Championships, Commonwealth qualifier open in Stellenbosch

3 mins



  • The Patriotic Alliance’s Gayton McKenzie.

The 2026 South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) National Championships have begun in Stellenbosch.

The opening ceremony on Saturday was attended by Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee President Barry Hendricks and SASAPD President Jean Miggels.

The Games are being held at various venues, mainly at Coetzenburg Stadium, and feature local and international athletes competing in eight sporting codes including para-athletics, para-judo, para-cycling, para-powerlifting, para-swimming, boccia, CP football and goalball.

Miggels says the championships will serve as a qualification event for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in August.

“Disability sports is under-funded in the country, which has impacted negatively on the athletes to participate at the major international competitions, or ability to perform at a higher level. And to alleviate that, SASCOC has increased funding from six to ten million rand, for the athletes to prepare for the Commonwealth Games and other events,” said Miggels.

Some events including judo and powerlifting began on the first day. Paralympian judoka Lamani Ndyebo used the competition as preparation for upcoming international events, while powerlifter Mbasa Qilingele expressed satisfaction with her performance.

The SASAPD Games are set to conclude on Tuesday.

Related News