Mami Diale backs Spar Proteas to achieve top-four World Cup finish

The Proteas are aiming to improve on their sixth-place finish at the 2023 World Cup, which was hosted on home soil.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Diale says a combination of strong management support, quality technical leadership and commitment from the players can help the team achieve this goal.

“The target is simple, it’s all about performance. We will be happy if the Spar Protea manage to go up the rankings. We are currently fifth on the world rankings. We are saying that the team should achieve top-four, that will be a bonus to the federation. We have a capable technical team and players,” said Diale.

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Now a year into her tenure as Netball South Africa President, Diale has reiterated the federation’s commitment to providing the Spar Proteas with the necessary support as they prepare for the global showpiece.

Speaking at the launch of the Road to Sydney campaign in Johannesburg, she called on the players to represent the country with pride.

“To the Spar Proteas, please perform to your utmost best. We will give you the resources you need. We will also give them the support that they need. All that we want is for the team to represent South Africa with pride and dignity,” added Diale.

Diale also says the Road to Sydney campaign is aimed at building national support behind the team, with the launch also introducing the Netball Friday initiative.

“This is a movement to launch the Netball Friday campaign, encouraging South Africans to support the national team now and throughout their World Cup campaign in Sydney. I believe fans should be a big part of this movement,” she expressed.