South African roller sports teams gear up for World Skate Games 2024 in Italy

This September, South Africa’s roller sports teams are set to take the global stage at the World Skate Games 2024 in Italy. Our national teams, competing in inline speed skating, artistic roller skating, skateboarding, and roller hockey, are ready to showcase their talent and determination, embodying the vibrant spirit of South African sports.

The World Skate Games is a prestigious multi-sport World Championships event held every two years, featuring 12 roller sports. As one of the most significant events on the global roller sports calendar, it brings together the best athletes from around the world, with an estimated participation of over 12,000 people from 100 countries. For South Africa, this event is a golden opportunity to shine on the world stage, as our teams gear up to compete against the elite in their respective sports.

However, as our athletes prepared to represent the rainbow nation, they faced a significant challenge: funding for their team kits. CN&CO and EasyEquities came to the party by sponsoring track suits for the team.

“We’re beyond grateful to Easy Equities and CN&CO for their incredible sponsorship of our team tracksuits for the upcoming World Skate Games in Italy 2024!” says Wendy Gila, president of Roller Sport South Africa, the official governing body for roller sports in the country. “Thanks to your generosity, our skaters will proudly represent South Africa in our national colours, representing the spirit and determination of our country on the world stage.”

We met Wendy a few years ago through our association with Olympic skateboarder Brandon Valjalo, who will be participating in Italy. Here’s an article we did on Wendy and the association in 2022.

Wendy says Roller Sport South Africa is doing everything in its power to support our athletes.

“As a non-profit organisation, Roller Sport South Africa relies heavily on funding, volunteers and donations,” she says. “To ensure that our teams can step onto the world stage fully equipped, Roller Sport South Africa has launched a BackaBuddy campaign, which aims to raise the necessary funds to provide our athletes with the team uniforms they need.

“The campaign is now live, and Roller Sport South Africa is appealing to all South Africans to contribute and share the campaign widely.”

DONATE HERE TO ROLLER SPORT SOUTH AFRICA

“Every donation, no matter how small, brings our athletes closer to competing in Italy with the full support of their nation behind them,” says Wendy.

South Africa’s participation this year is led by our national federation, Roller Sport SA, and includes teams in four disciplines:

Artistic roller skating team:

• Keamogetswe Masango
• Oratile Motheo Hlatshwayo
• Thabang Mashaba
• Given Chiloane

Inline speed skating team:

• Lasi Mokonyama
• Neo Mlambo
• Omphemetse Ramoshaba

(Meet the team here!)

Skateboarding team:

• Boipelo Awuah
• Brandon Valjalo
• Marci Rodrigues

Roller hockey team:

• Sebastiao Mortagua
• Kanya Mekeni
• Fernando Maia
• Ricardo Madeira
• Marcio Coimbra
• Leandro Coimbra
• Tiago Madeira
• Daniel Mortagua
• Dean Boniface
• Helder Namburete
• Anele Mekeni
• Joaquim Coimbra (coach)
• Mziwandile Mabaso (physio)

Team managers and assistant managers:

• Wendy Gila
• Luiz Madeira
• Amy Ketteringham
• Sharne Jacobs

These athletes are not only competing to win; they are ambassadors of South Africa, showcasing the skill, determination and resilience that define our sports culture.

To support our roller sports teams and help them achieve their dreams on the world stage, please visit the BackaBuddy campaign and make a donation today.

“Together, we can ensure that our athletes represent South Africa with pride and unity at the World Skate Games 2024,” says Wendy.

Follow Roller Sport SA on Facebook and Instagram.