Thousands raised for athlete attacked by vicious gang

By Daily Sports on March 9, 2018

 

A crowdfunding campaign has raised more than $33,000 (£24,000) for the South African athlete who was attacked by a gang who tried to saw his legs off.

The fund was set up on Wednesday after news of the horrific attack on Mhlengi Gwala began to spread around the world.

He was doing triathlon training in Durban when he was pulled into bushes by attackers who used a chainsaw to cut into his legs before he escaped.

He is now “doing well” after surgery, an official told the BBC.

Dennis Jackson, director of the elite athlete programme for KwaZulu-Natal province, told the BBC’s Newsday programme they would be doing everything possible to get Mr Gwala back on his feet.

Mr Jackson said he was sure Mr Gwala – a “shining ambassador” for triathlon in South Africa – would compete again, although at what level remained to be seen.

But he added: “Don’t be surprised if in a year or two, we see him back on the world stage.”

The story sent shockwaves through South Africa and beyond, leading one South African to set up the BackaBuddy fundraising page to “get Mhlengi back on his bike”.

The money raised – which stood at 400,000 rand ($33,550; £24,175) as of Thursday morning – will help with medical bills and rehabilitation costs, the site says.

Mr Gwala was due to compete in the South African national championships this month and has twice represented the country in international competitions.

His money, phone and bicycle were not stolen and the motive for the attack is still unclear.

Mr Jackson paid tribute to the athlete’s determination and mental strength: “Like a lot of young kids, he had a bit of trouble growing up but he decided that he wanted to change his life and take up sport, and that’s what he did.

“So when people ask me now: ‘Is he going to overcome this?’ I say, ‘For sure. He’s got the mind, he’s got the will, he’s got the strength.’” (BBC)

•Photo shows triathlethe Mhlengi Gwala

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 9, 2018


 

You may also like...
New life pumped into Premier League title race...

South Africa sink Botswana in Chan qualifier

Roy Hodgson Expecting ‘Circus’ Over Wilfried Zaha

Liverpool’s late show stuns Arsenal in FA Cup...

Greek Super League Hoping For 6 June Return...

Pacquiao attributes Brisbane loss to cold

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,141 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,991 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,931 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,288 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,332 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,035 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media