10 October 2023
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Story Aimée Barlow and Jóhann Thormählen
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Photo Aimée Barlow
KovsieSport and Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State (UFS), hosted a celebratory lunch to honour the six UFS representatives at the World University Games. Pictured from left are Robert Summers, Kesa Molotsane, Wernich van Rensburg, Prof Petersen, Yolandi Stander, Marco Markgraaff, Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport, and Temba Hlasho, Executive Director: Student Affairs. The UFS tennis player Ester de Kock (not present) also competed at the Games.
In a heartfelt display of appreciation, Prof Francis Petersen lauds the unwavering dedication of the University of the Free State (UFS) participants at the World University Games for showcasing their sporting prowess on the international stage.
As the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, Prof Petersen extended his commendation to the six Kovsies who proudly represented South Africa in the global arena of student athletics in Chengdu, China. Prof Petersen acknowledged not only their exceptional dedication to their respective sports but also their academic commitments.
The UFS representatives at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games, were honoured by KovsieSport and Prof Petersen at a celebratory lunch in September 2023. The games took place from 28 July 2023 to 8 August 2023.
Contributing to the South African cause, the UFS student-athletes who competed included Robert Summers (badminton), Ester de Kock (tennis), Yolandi Stander and Wernich van Rensburg (athletics). Kesa Molotsane serving as the athletics team manager and coach, and Marco Markgraaff, the swimming head coach, contributed in administrative roles for the national team.
The South African team returned home with a total of F20 medals, with two of them proudly won by Kovsies. Stander secured a silver medal (57.89 m) in the women’s discus, while Van Rensburg clinched a bronze as a member of the South African 4 x 400 m men’s relay race (3:05.17).
Addressing the athletes, Prof Peterson expressed his admiration, stating, “To our athletes: The sweat, hard work and time that you contribute to your specific sporting code, is something I have to say I admire."
Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport, expressed immense pride on behalf of the UFS in the athletes and staff who represented their country. He emphasised the importance of celebrating such sporting achievements and commended them as “great” for achieving something remarkable both in the university and their sport.
Reflecting on their achievements, Stander, a BEd Honours in Education Management and Governance student, shared her goal to improve upon her tenth-place finish at the previous World University Games (52.40 m) in Napoli. “This time I wanted to bring back a medal. My goal was to win the gold medal, but I am very happy with the silver.”
Van Rensburg, a first-year BSc Computer Information Systems student, expressed his unexpected but unforgettable experience at the Games this year, setting his sights on competing at the World University Games in Germany in 2025.
Molotsane and Markgraaff significantly contributed to the national team, with athletics winning ten and swimming seven of the 20 South African medals in China.
Prof Petersen, alongside Temba Hlasho, Executive Director of Student Affairs, extended hearty congratulations and gratitude to the Kovsies for representing their university in Team South Africa.