The minstrel troupes parading through the streets of Cape Town during the “Tweede Nuwe Jaar” festivities set the tone for a memorable year on the sporting front, as this was followed by the opening round of the 2023 minstrel competition season, at Athlone Stadium.
Here we take a look back at some of our sports headlines from 2023.
In January, the Cape Town Spurs community mourned the loss of Albert ‘A’ Hendricks, the beloved kit manager, who passed away at his Mitchell’s Plain residence. Fondly remembered as Mr. A, he had been an integral part of the Spurs family since 1995, making him one of the club’s longest-serving members.
During the summer, Sans Souci Girls’ High School’s under-14 relay team left an indelible mark at the Table Bay Zone Section A high schools’ athletics meet, held at Green Point Stadium. Notable schools such as Alexander Sinton, Bloubergrant, Camps Bay, Crystal, Groote Schuur, and Heideveld high schools also participated. The winners from various sectional meets converged at Vygieskraal in Athlone for the zonal championships.
In March, the inaugural table cricket festival at Newlands cricket stadium brought youngsters from across the city together. Hosted by Sporting Chance, an NGO specialising in coaching and development, the festival aimed to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to engage in the game.
The winter season brought heart-warming stories, including the remarkable journey of 13-year-old Amaan Mohamed from Wetton. Inspired by Sergio Aguero, Amaan had been FC Kapstadt’s top goal scorer for seven consecutive years, leading his team to victory in the Cape Town Tygerberg LFA league and knockout championships.
In July we featured Woodstock resident Youssef Kanouni, a prominent figure in the running community, who has continued to use running as a platform for activism and unity.
Kanouni, originally from Casablanca, Morocco, fell in love with South Africa during his first visit in 1994 when he was invited to the country as a top runner in his athletic heyday. Captivated by the country’s natural beauty, as a runner he made it his mission to promote running as an accessible sport for all.
Hewat Athletic Club hosted its 23rd annual Festival of Running at the Sea Point Promenade. The two-day running festival featured two ultra marathons, 100km and 50km on Saturday and, the popular half marathon a day later, on Sunday. Those interested in short distance running were not left out with the 5kmx5 relay perfect for the whole family affair, friends and colleagues.
The University of Cape Town emerged victorious in a challenging encounter against False Bay, turning the tables after being losing finalists in the Varsity Cup 2023.
In August, Claremont Cricket Club swept the boards at the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) awards ceremony, winning multiple awards, including club of the year.
Claremont’s first team was named WPCA Team of the Year and with good reason too, as they had won the WPCA premier league and Ama20 competition. The club’s Veterans XI won the Western Province Veterans Cricket Association league title.
Head coach Allison Johnson shared the Coach of the Year with WP Women’s head coach, Claire Terblanche. On the junior front, Claremont’s Benni Hansen was named Western Province under-16 Player of the Year.
Cape Town Table Tennis (CTTT) made a strong showing at the SA Open Championships in October, representing various city clubs across divisions – vets, para, junior, and senior.
The Cape Town Kings claimed the SA Ice Hockey Super League championship in November.
In the football arena, team and individual winners of the Cape Town Tygerberg Local Football Association, Bayhill under-19 Premier Cup, and Engen Knockout Challenge were celebrated during the Safa Cape Town awards ceremony in November.
The IIE Varsity College Cape Town concluded their sports calendar with an inaugural sports awards ceremony in December. Amarachi Akuma Agba and Caden Sampson were honoured as sportswoman and sportsman of the year, respectively.
To round off the year on a high, the South African men’s hockey team earned a spot in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) qualification programme for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games Round 2, Group K.
SA Ice Hockey president, Jason Cerff said: “It’s a historic moment that can and will be cherished forever. This will be put down in the history of ice hockey in South Africa to be the first ever Olympic event that the national team will be competing in.”
We wish our Tatler readers a peaceful holiday and look forward to running alongside you on your sporting endeavours in 2024.
