Dylan Bettencourt
Bafana Bafana may not have qualified for the Fifa World Cup in Qatar but South Africa will still be represented at the showpiece sporting event.
South African Football Association (Safa) Chief Medical Officer Thulani Ngwenya has been selected as the doping control officer (DCO) for the World Cup.
Ngwenya has become a highly respected expert in the field of sports medicine and being selected for the tournament has impressed his bosses.
“We are proud of the growth of Dr Ngwenya’s contribution during Covid, and during the Confederation of African Football games,” said Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe in a statement.
“We don’t doubt that he will represent the country with distinction in Qatar.”
Ngwenya said he was honoured to be part of the Fifa medical committee as a doping control officer.
“I got an email from Fifa saying that they would like to have an interview with me just to get to know what I do as a sports exercise doctor,” the 38-year-old told Sport24.
“Less than a week later I received the email confirming my role in Qatar. It’s just great to get such recognition.”
Ngwenya, a sports doctor, is aiming to obtain a PhD in Sports Medicine to add to his five degrees.
“I’m very ambitious. I’m a guy that always wants to make a difference. Wanting to know more helps me to understand the dynamics of sport,” he said.
“Being in South Africa, it is important that I keep equipping and training myself and upgrading myself so that I am able to navigate through the challenges I might face.”
Ngwenya will attend two Fifa workshops at the governing body’s headquarters in Switzerland to prepare for the World Cup in November.
Image source: @DailySun
