India and South Africa’s sporting bonds help deepen tourism ties

Professor Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, in a recent discussion, shed light on the relationship between the two nations through the lens of sports tourism. 

Beyond cricket, Sooklal emphasised historical links, cultural ties, and the shared passion for various sports that simultaneously bolster tourism and strengthen diplomatic relations.

He said the historical narrative behind India’s stance against apartheid South Africa significantly influenced how both nations interact in the sporting arena today.

Cricket

“When sporting sanctions were being applied, not all countries abided by that because you still had international cricket games between certain countries and apartheid South African teams,” Sooklal said. 

“But India took a decision, being a cricket country where they have influence, to raise this at the ICC (International Cricket Council), and that is how South Africa was suspended from the ICC because India said you can’t have a normal interaction at the level of sport with the country that doesn’t embrace all of its people as part of its team.” 

Sooklal said that when former President Nelson Mandela was freed, South Africa was eventually readmitted by the ICC.

The Proteas’ inaugural cricket match was played against India in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, a choice influenced by India’s use of sport as a stand against apartheid. India ultimately won the match.

“It’s that background that links the sporting fraternity between our two countries,” Sooklal said. 

Sooklal noted that the IPL has many South African players. Moreover, India was instrumental in launching the SA20 with the teams being owned by Indian franchises. 

Sooklal added that next year, South Africa will co-host the 2027 Cricket World Cup, and during a recent meeting with Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, she asked SA Tourism, the embassy and her staff if they have proactively started preparing for it and how they can maximise the event.

He said the Cricket World Cup will draw a significant number of Indian fans, many bringing family and friends. 

“We need to maximise and have a proper strategy for these new sectors that are now emerging. How do we creatively maximise them in terms of increasing inbound tourism from India through these various entities now?”

Golf

Sooklal said golf tourism is a new dimension.

“The Indians have now started the IPL equivalent of golf. They have a golf kind of 20 and they have that tournament not only in India but also in other parts of the world,” Sooklal said. 

He said two similarly structured groups exist, both focused on promoting golf, both within India and internationally.

“The first group is coming, a group of 60, to play a golf tournament here in Johannesburg in April.”

He said another group of India’s top golfers, some playing on the international circuit will travel to to South Africa in September to inaugurate the first edition of the golf 20. 

He said it is envisaged that this will become an annual event, bringing Indian golfers to South Africa and also inviting South African golfers and local golf entities to partner with them. 

Comrades Marathon

Sooklal said that Indians are keen on ultra-distance marathons and have latched onto the Comrades Marathon. 

Although they have been participating for many years, the popularity of the Comrades has grown substantially. 

“I think when Comrades is 100 years old, the Indians said they aim to bring 1,000 athletes to celebrate the 100th anniversary,” Sooklal said. 

“This year, it’s 400 athletes that are coming from India to participate in the Comrades, the largest foreign group (of participants).” 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za