The South African cricket team received a grand honour from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) for their impressive performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, which was held in the rainbow nation last month.
Notably, the Proteas reached the finals of the 20-over showpiece event and finished as the runners-up after facing defeat from the Meg Lanning-led Australia. Acknowledging the sizzling performance of the South African side, the Deputy Minister of DSAC, Ms Nocawe Mafuannounced an R7.5 million incentive for the Proteas team as well as R15 million to Cricket South Africa (CSA). She also bestowed medals and incentives to South African cricketers.
The Esteemed #Momentum
Proteas receiving their medals from the @SportArtsCultur @ProteasWomenCSA pic.twitter.com/HMdJD4DEKA— gsport4girls (@gsport4girls) March 28, 2023
CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki, lauded the department for their commitment to women’s cricket and expressed their appreciation for supporting and recognizing the female champions. Moseki reckoned that the honour by DSAC will professionalize women’s cricket in South Africa.
“Our gratitude goes out to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for its support throughout the years and for celebrating our heroines. This financial injection demonstrates the department’s commitment to the development of cricket and will aid CSA’s continuous efforts to professionalize women’s cricket in the country. The support by the department shows that the development of women’s cricket relies on all of us: it is our collective responsibility to commit resources that will assist us in taking the women’s game forward,” said Moseki in an official statement.
Sune Luus, who led South Africa to the final of the global event, expressed her excitement upon receiving the honour and thanked the CSA, along with other associates, for making special efforts to promote Women’s cricket.
“It’s great to be here and recognized for something we love to do and represent our country. All the girls here woke up one day and decided that cricket is their dream, and they wanted to pursue it – and these are the moments we live for. Being a young girl, dreaming of being in a World Cup final – a home World Cup final – I don’t think we ever thought that would be possible. So, thank you to Cricket South Africa, to SASCOC, Momentum, to each and every person, and the Department for making this possible for us,” said Luus at the event.
