USSA targets 25 medals at the upcoming World University Games

This after the announcement of their final team to represent South Africa at the world showpiece in Germany, from 16 July.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Laka says the expectation is for the team to up the medal tally from the total of 20 they secured in 2021.

"Our target for the World University Games as I indicated to the Chef de Mission earlier on during the day, is that in 2021 they delivered 20 medals, so, therefore, the expectation is for the team to deliver 25 medals in 2025," Laka said.

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Laka explains that it's the federation's main responsibility to give student athletes an opportunity to compete at an international level and while they look forward to seeing them break records in major events.

"We are very much excited as an organisation to announce these exciting young student athletes who will be carrying the flag of South Africa very high. As university sports, it's our responsibility to give these students an opportunity to compete in an international competition, we are very excited," he added.

Laka adds that he’s proud that Olympic gold medalist Bayanda Wazala will be leading the pack, and adds that he committed himself to coming home with three gold medals.

"Bayanda Walaza is one of the top athletes that we really look at, he promised me personally that he's gonna deliver three gold medals at the World University Games. So, he's one of the athletes that we really look at. Mthimkhulu is another athlete at 400m and the 4x400 relay team that will really represent us at the World University Games."