Soccer and cricket are very popular sports in South Africa, but bookmakers in South Africa accept bets on other events as well. Sports in South Africa are constantly evolving. For example, in July 2023, the second championship among cheerleaders, cheerleaders and majorettes took place. Nearly 3,000 participants took part in the sporting event, Pretoria News reported. The competitions were held at the hockey stadium in Umbilo, Durben.
It may seem to many that cheerleading is not as popular as football or cricket, but in South Africa there is an Association of Cheerleaders and Majorettes. The organization started working relatively recently – in 2014. Its main goal is to develop and promote sports events and everything connected with them. That is why athletes from other countries can take part in the championships of the Association.
For the first time, SAMCA (South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association) held a championship among cheerleaders, majorettes and marching bands in 2019. The event had a relatively small scope, but the organizers immediately announced their intention to make it an annual event. In 2020-2022, the championship was postponed due to the coronavirus. After the lifting of covid-related restrictions, SAMCA decided to resume the sporting event.
On July 3, 2023, the South African Cheerleading and Majorette Championship started. A total of 98 cheerleaders and 1582 majorettes took part. Participants performed in different types of shows. All participants were divided by age. The cheerleaders competed in four categories: elementary, middle, high school, and tertiary. The event was held in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The host party put up 16 cheerleading groups of different ages for the competition: junior, middle, high school, as well as 4 professional teams of universities. Qualifying and semi-final competitions were held on weekdays, and the finals took place on July 7 and 8. Matches were played every day from 07:45 to 22:00. Also, after the completion of the majorettes and cheerleading competitions, the South African Cheerleading Championship was held. Tickets cost R60 for weekday events. At least R110 was paid to watch the final matches.
According to the organizers of the championship, cheerleaders and majorettes from all over the country arrived at the competition. But restrictions due to the coronavirus epidemic have hit the cheerleading community in South Africa hard. Many teams were unable to attend the championship. Nevertheless, the organizers are confident that next year they will be able to collect the maximum number of participants. And even surpass the competitions that were held before covid, in terms of mass.
SAMCA President Wayne Oberem also announced his readiness to hold African cheerleading championships in the future and develop this sport discipline in South Africa.
