Andiswa Mbanхва, a student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), has been selected to represent South Africa in the Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship, which will take place in India from October 6th to 13th.
Andiswa Mbanхва, a student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), has been selected to represent South Africa in the Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship, which will take place in India from October 6th to 13th.
For Mbanхва, being selected for the South African team last year could have ended her sports dreams, but it served as a stimulus for more diligent work. Now she is preparing to wear the green and gold colors, representing her country at the upcoming championship.
The tournament will bring together teams from over 24 countries, and South Africa aims to improve upon its result of winning a bronze medal in last year's competition. Mbanхва shared her feelings, noting that her persistence, hard work, and perseverance paid off this year, giving her the opportunity to proudly represent her country after failing to qualify for the South African team in 2025.
The 21-year-old Mbanхва, who is studying a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education at UKZN, has been involved in Kho Kho since 2017, when she first encountered the sport in primary school. Since then, she has steadily advanced in her career, playing for uMgungundlovu at the regional level, and later participating in the KwaZulu-Natal National Games in 2021 and 2023.
Selection to the national team is the final stage in her athletic journey, during which she has already achieved success in several sports. Mbanхва is also a talented player in team sports like netball and represented South Africa by making the top 35 players under 18 and under 19 in 2022 and 2023. Currently, she plays for the UKZN first division netball team while balancing the demands of university studies.
Hailing from the village of Frans in Pietermaritzburg, Mbanхва hopes to help South Africa achieve greater success this year, turning last year's bronze medal into a Commonwealth gold. Kho Kho, one of India's oldest traditional sports, is played by two teams of nine players on a rectangular field. The game combines speed, agility, and tactical thinking, as teams alternate between chasing opponents and defending, trying to tag opponents to score points.
In addition to championships, Mbanхва plans that her future career as a teacher will allow her to introduce more young people to indigenous sports and encourage children to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Dr. Normah Zondo, Director of Corporate Relations at UKZN, highly praised Mbanхва's achievement, stating that her selection reflects the University's commitment to developing student athletes who excel both academically and athletically.
The list of participants for the finals of the Asian Boxing Championship in the U19 and U23 age categories in Jakarta, Indonesia, has been announced following the semi-finals.
Twenty-seven athletes from the national team of Uzbekistan have qualified for the upcoming fights for the title of Asian Champion in the U19 and U23 categories.
Overall, the Kazakhstan national team ranked second among the national teams, securing a spot in the final with twenty-two participants. Other teams advancing to the next stages include India (18), Japan (4), South Korea (2), Kyrgyzstan (2), and Indonesia (2). Additionally, teams from Thailand, Taiwan, and Mongolia sent one representative each.
According to the championship program, today is designated as a day off for all participants. The finals of the Asian Boxing Championship in the women's U19 and U23 categories will take place tomorrow, while the men's final matches are scheduled for July 16.
Joshua Cheptegei is preparing to return to Durban to participate in the Run Your City Durban 10K race on Sunday. The Ugandan athlete hopes to win amidst a strong field of competitors.
Previously, when Eliud Kipchoge first appeared in South Africa at the Cape Town Marathon earlier this year, few expected that the greatest marathon runner of all time would compete for victory. His visit was more of a celebration of a brilliant career that changed distance running. Thousands of people came to watch the 41-year-old athlete before he finished in 16th place.
However, Joshua Cheptegei's return to Durban this weekend carries a completely different set of expectations. At 29 years old, the Ugandan remains one of the world's leading distance runners. He leads the field, which organizers called the strongest men's field ever assembled for a 10-kilometer road race on African soil as part of the Absa Run Your City Durban 10K.
Unlike a simple celebration of achievements, the focus is now on whether Cheptegei can demonstrate something outstanding again. Eight years ago, he became the first athlete to break the 28-minute barrier in South Africa, winning in Durban with a time of 27:16, a record for all participants. Now, with an elite field striving to match him, organizers believe that the seemingly unattainable barrier of under 27 minutes on African soil could be broken.
Last year, Kabelo Mulaudzi won with a personal best of 27:41, and he is one of the favorites for Sunday to run under the 27-minute mark. Cheptegei's competitors share this confidence. Felix Masai from Kenya believes that racing against the Ugandan 'raises the level of the entire field,' while his compatriot Gilbert Kiprotich believes he can comfortably run under 27 minutes under favorable conditions and pace.
Lesotho record holder Kamochelo Mofolo also supported the idea that a tight and fast course in Durban could yield something special. Kabelo Mulaudzi from South Africa hopes that competing against Cheptegei will help him improve his personal best of 27:41 set last year. Mofolo took second place with a time of 27:47, and Vincent Kipkorir from Kenya rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 27:48.
Mulaudzi stated: 'I have always enjoyed races against athletes who are better than me. It is great to compete alongside Joshua. I hope he helps unlock my potential and that of all the participating athletes.'
Veteran Steven Mokoka, who competed against Cheptegei during a memorable event in 2018, believes that the Ugandan's return will once again raise standards in South African road running. Mokoka noted: 'Young athletes will not be afraid to increase the pace, while Joshua will want to remind everyone of his class.'Cheptegei arrives in Durban in good form after winning the 10,000-meter race at the Ugandan Championships last month, highlighting his sustained power over the distance despite growing interest in road races. The two-time Olympic champion also achieved success in the marathon, winning the Valencia Marathon in his debut in December 2023, and finishing ninth in his debut London Marathon earlier this year with a time of 2:05:59. Nevertheless, Sunday's race offers a return to the discipline that initially forged his reputation as one of the greatest distance runners of his generation.
Kipchoge's appearance in Cape Town gave South African fans the opportunity to celebrate a legend whose greatest achievements are already etched in sports history. Cheptegei's return to Durban promises something different—a chance to watch one of the modern titans of distance running continue to chase the next landmark result.
