Picture a young athlete grinning as she tries to wrap her tongue around the word “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” That’s how
Naledi Nhlapo, a first year BA student at the University of the Free State (UFS), described the rush of winning three major sporting awards for
Boccia.
She did not grow up dreaming about this sport. In fact, she stumbled into it almost by accident. Yet here she is, recognised as Senior Female Sport Star of the Year, Sport Star of the Year, and the recipient of a Certificate of Merit for international participation from the Free State Sport Association for the Physically Disabled.
Discovering a sport designed for her
Naledi first encountered Boccia in secondary school through a disability sports programme. “At first, I was curious because I had never seen the sport before,” she recalls. “After trying it, I enjoyed the strategy, precision, and focus it required. It showed me that I could compete at a high level regardless of my physical challenges, and that motivated me to continue improving.”
Boccia is a Paralympic sport designed specifically for athletes with severe mobility impairments. Played indoors, it requires players to throw, roll, or use a ramp to place coloured balls as close as possible to a white target ball called the jack. The game rewards accuracy, concentration, and planning rather than physical strength. Naledi describes it simply: “It’s fun!”
Starting university brought its own challenges. “Firstly, I struggled to manage my schedule because everything was new. It was different from high school, from attending classes to balancing training sessions,” she says. But she adapted quickly. “Now I manage my time much better, and I am able to balance both my academic responsibilities and my Boccia training.”
That balance has allowed her to keep improving while remaining focused on her studies. Representing South Africa at the World Boccia Africa Regional Championships in Egypt in 2025 was a highlight. “It was one of the greatest honours of my life. It was unforgettable to compete against athletes from different countries and proudly wear the South African colours. It taught me valuable lessons about dedication, perseverance, and confidence.”
The awards she received were not her first, but they still carried great significance. “Every award reminds me that my hard work and dedication are paying off. Being recognised is always a special moment, and it motivates me to keep working hard and striving for even greater achievements.”
Her coach, Marisa Potgieter, has been central to her progress. Naledi is quick to acknowledge that support: “Her guidance, encouragement, and support have played a huge role in my journey, and I am truly grateful for everything she has taught me.”
Boccia is not new at the UFS. KovsieSport has supported several Boccia players over the years, with three students currently active – two competing at national level and one at provincial level.
Louzanne Coetzee, the Sports Coordinator for Parasport at
KovsieSport, explains: “It is a sport specifically for persons with severe mobility impairment. The entire sport is designed around them. It is a Paralympic sporting code, so it is actually a very big sporting code internationally.”
The Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) also celebrates Naledi’s achievements. Martie Miranda, Head of CUADS, notes that progress in disability sport at the UFS was made possible through the Integrated Transformation Plan (2017–2022), which included an integrated sports strategy that embraces disability sports.
Competing at the highest level
Naledi’s goals are clear. “My aim is to continue improving my skills and competing at the highest level. I hope to represent South Africa in more international competitions and Paralympic Games, achieve strong results, and continue growing as an athlete. I also want to encourage more people to learn about Boccia and show that disability should never stop someone from achieving their goals.”
Her words carry quiet confidence. They remind us that medals matter, yet the deeper value of sport lies in creating spaces where everyone can compete, belong, and be recognised.