Sasol Sustainability Report 2023 - Book - Page 34
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
GROWING SHARED VALUE 3 SASOL IN SOCIETY
DATA AND ASSURANCE
ANNEXURES
GROWING SHARED VALUE // Sasol in Society // Development sponsorships
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
Sasol has been the pre-eminent brand behind women9s football for the past 14 years in South Africa.
Our partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) is fuelled by a shared belief in the
boundless potential of women9s football.
Sasol entered into a partnership with Wheelchair Basketball South Africa 16 years ago 3 a strong and
mutually-beneficial relationship that delivers high performance athletes that achieve excellence.
The support by Sasol enables an inclusive culture by supporting people that are differently abled, also
ensuring the individuals represent South Africa at the global stage, where they are exhibiting the
indomitable spirit that nothing is impossible.
In 2009, we decided to shift our support towards the development of the women9s game, with the aim
of enhancing the quality of women9s football nationwide, starting from grassroots initiatives through the
Sasol League, extending all the way up to the national team.
Our goal is to empower young women, enabling them to improve their lives through the transformative
power of sports.
We have witnessed many of our athletes evolve from the Sasol League, the crucible of women9s football
development, to competing at international football clubs. This speaks volumes for the impact that Sasol9s
partnership with SAFA has on women9s football in the country.
The South African Senior Men9s and Women9s Wheelchair Basketball teams qualified to participate in
the Inaugural African Para Games which will be held in Accra, Ghana in September 2023. The extensive
selection and training camps held during the first half of 2023 will be put to test for the South African teams
at this tournament, given that the mandate of the coaching staff was to revamp the High-Performance teams
to bring them in line with the required standards of International Wheelchair Basketball.
OUTCOMES
SASOL BANYANA BANYANA
SASOL LEAGUE
Banyana Banyana qualified to participate in the
2023 FIFA Women9s World Cup, the pinnacle
global women9s football event.
The 2022 Sasol League National Championship
was held, 17 3 23 October 2022 at the Old
Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo.
This tournament continues to be a spectacle of
good football and young ladies chasing their
dreams of playing in professional leagues, both
in South Africa and overseas. The tournament
was a success, with spectators being allowed
to attend after COVID-19. The incredible growth
of the women9s game is not just evident in the
quality of football being played, but teams also
uphold a highly professional and competitive
demeanour throughout the tournament.
Limpopo-based Copperbelt Ladies FC was
crowned as the 2022 Sasol League National
Champions.
Banyana Banyana9s inaugural participation in
the 2019 FIFA Women9s World Cup was a
monumental achievement. However, the 2023
tournament holds even greater significance, as
they compete as the reigning Women9s Africa
Cup of Nations champions. This accomplishment
stands as a testament to the team9s incredible
journey and Sasol9s unwavering support.
Banyana Banyana has been drawn in Group G
which consist of strong teams such as Argentina,
Italy and Sweden, to showcase their strength,
skill and steadfast spirit to create a legacy that
will inspire generations to come.
During FY23, Banyana Banyana were crowned
as the African Champions in Morocco and
also played international friendly games
against Brazil, Serbia, Australia and Botswana.
The team also participated in the 2022 COSAFA
Tournament and the 2023 Turkey Women9s Cup.
The South African Men9s U/23 Wheelchair Basketball team represented Africa at the 2022 International
wheelchair basketball federation (IWBF) Men9s U/23 World Championship. The Sasol-sponsored
AmaWheelaBoys successfully participated in this global tournament in the city of Phuket, Thailand gaining
valuable experience which is a positive gain for the wheelchair basketball value chain in South Africa.
The IWBF U/25 Women9s Wheelchair Basketball World Championship Qualifiers took place between
5 3 8 December 2022 at the Mandeville Sports Centre, Johannesburg. The Sasol U/25 AmaWheelie Girls
national team hosted the Republic Democratic of Congo and Ethiopia and won the tournament without a
single loss. The South African team will represent Africa at 2023 IWBF U25 Women9s Wheelchair Basketball
World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 2023 Sasol League season, consisting
of approximately 140 teams across the nine
provinces of South Africa, commenced over
the February/March period. Women9s football
fixtures are being played every weekend until
September/October each year.
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