Deloshen Valaitam, a volleyball player from Phoenix, continues to demonstrate high results both nationally and internationally. Recently, he was recognized as the best attacker at the Senior Interprovincial Tournament, and now he is setting the goal of winning another national title and gaining the opportunity to undergo intensive training in the Netherlands.
A first-year Bachelor of Science student in Sport and Physical Education at West Coast University (WCU), who represented the West Coast at the tournament held at the Old Mutual University sports center in Johannesburg, showed outstanding play. His team passed the group stage undefeated, then defeated Gauteng in a thrilling semi-final, finishing second in the final behind Limpopo. For his brilliant performance, Valaitam received the Best Attacker award.
This new award complements the already impressive athletic journey of the young athlete, who has repeatedly represented South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal, strengthening his reputation as one of the country's most promising volleyball players. Valaitam's love for sports began in Phoenix long before receiving medals or participating in international competitions. He recalls that his passion developed by watching his father and older brothers play, with his father becoming his first coach and remaining so.
His interest in volleyball appeared at the age of four, inspired by hours spent watching matches with his father. By the age of seven, he mastered the jump serve, which became one of his main assets, regularly competing against players significantly older than him. His rapid progress allowed him to win the Under-13 District Tournament at age 10, and later win the Under-19 District Tournament at age 15, where he also received the Best Attacker award.
Since then, Valaitam has accumulated numerous awards, including multiple gold medals, match player awards, and best attacker titles at provincial and national tournaments, playing for KwaZulu-Natal in SA Schools and interprovincial championships. His successes led to the national team, allowing him to represent South Africa in several prestigious international tournaments. Among them are the FIVB Youth Beach Volleyball World Championship U19 in Turkey, the Elite 16 tournament in Cape Town, Regional Games in Malawi, Youth Olympic Games in Trinidad and Tobago, BRICS Games in Durban, and several Zone 6 beach volleyball events.
He considers his most significant career moment to be participating in professional tryouts in India, which took place just one month after finishing school, as the dream of becoming a professional volleyball player has always been his goal. Against 287 players from around the world, Valaitam managed to make the Kochi Blue Spikers team, which he views as one of the proudest milestones of his career.
Despite all the achievements, he admits that this path required unwavering dedication and sacrifice. He noted that achieving peak physical condition for top-level competition was a real struggle. Over the last three years, he has regularly attended the gym, and balancing studies and sport has proven difficult due to the immense demands of both fields. He also mentioned the emotional difficulties associated with being away from home for extended periods during national and international competitions.
Valaitam thanks his family for their constant support and motivation to achieve his dream. His Christian faith remains a constant source of strength, helping him overcome difficulties. Besides volleyball, he pays great attention to education, studying Sport and Physical Education at WCU with plans to specialize in biomechanics and strength training. He carefully balances university life with elite sport through disciplined study schedules, meal preparation, and intense training routines.
The next challenge awaits him in September when he will represent the WCU Volleyball Club at the South African Champions Cup—the main national club championship, which will take place at the Tempe military base in Bloemfontein. His goal is simple: 'I want to play my best and help my team win gold.' One match is particularly important as WCU will face the Predators Volleyball Club—a club in Durban where Valaitam previously played with his older brother and friends.
In addition to the Champions Cup, Valaitam awaits confirmation from Volleyball South Africa regarding a possible invitation to visit the prestigious FIVB Center of Excellence in the Netherlands later this year. If selected, he will join another South African player for 10 days of high-level coaching, advanced training, and recovery alongside leading international athletes. He believes this will help him grow significantly as a young beach volleyball player. In the long term, Valaitam dreams of regularly participating in the international professional beach volleyball tour or signing a contract with a professional European club, while remaining determined to represent South Africa at the Olympics and inspire the next generation in Durban.
Good news for the Indian team: star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has fully recovered and will be available to participate in the entire two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
Bumrah successfully passed the physical fitness check at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He is now ready to participate in the upcoming two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka, which starts on August 15, with the second match scheduled for August 23.
There were earlier doubts about his ability to participate in the trip to Sri Lanka, as his selection for the Indian squad was conditional upon receiving fitness clearance. However, the medical team has given him the green light.
According to PTI, Bumrah successfully passed the mandatory fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence located in Bangalore. He has fully recovered from the injury sustained during the ODI series against England. Because of this, he will lead India's fast bowling attack in both matches against Sri Lanka.
Previously, due to this injury, Bumrah was excluded from the third ODI match held at Lord's. According to a senior BCCI official who wished to remain unnamed, Bumrah has fully recovered from the injury and passed all tests set by the COE, and he is expected to be available for both matches as he is an important part of the team's plans.
Bumrah's return comes at a time when the Indian team has already faced injury issues. His presence will strengthen the bowling department and enhance India's position in the World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.
The Indian squad for the tour of Sri Lanka includes: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Devdhadh Pattickala, Sai Sudarshan (subject to fitness), Dhruva Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Sutara, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Batra, and Saransh Jana.
Match schedule in Sri Lanka:
First Test: August 15-19, Galle, starting at 10 am.
Second Test: August 23-27, Colombo, starting at 10 am.
Mukhlisa Masharipova, representing the national team of Uzbekistan, became the world champion at the World Junior Wrestling Championship under 17, which is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In the final match in the 43 kg weight category, the Uzbek wrestler defeated Finja Strauch from Germany, winning the gold medal.
The wrestling federation also reported that five representatives of the Uzbekistan freestyle wrestling team will participate in the qualification rounds during the next day of the competition.
Additionally, Sabrina Abdreimova will continue fighting for the bronze medal through the repechage round. Her opponent will be determined by the results of the match between Madalina Pavel from Romania and Valeria Stancheva from Bulgaria in the 53 kg weight category.
Infantino Cardeira's senior advisor has resigned amid an offer to sell a stake in FIFA.
