gsport Founder Kass Naidoo has praised South African women in sport for breaking barriers on the world stage, noting that their achievements inspire the next generation of global superstars.
Naidoo’s comments come as gsport, Africa’s leading women’s sport advancement initiative, celebrates the fifth anniversary of its #gsportGlobal chapter. Launched in 2006 to raise the profile of women in sport and attract better corporate support, gsport focused its efforts on uplifting South African women athletes.
However, with the launch of the #gsportGlobal chapter in 2019, gsport expanded its reach across Africa, striving to gain global recognition for the continent’s stars.
Reflecting on this milestone, Naidoo said, “The launch of #gsportGlobal was a bold step towards ensuring that African women athletes receive the global recognition they deserve. By showing up on the international stage, we amplify their successes and help inspire a new generation of women to dream bigger.”
The journey began in 2019 when Naidoo, fresh off signing Momentum as the Naming Rights partner of the gsport Awards, traveled to India to support the Proteas Women’s cricket team. This marked gsport’s first international trip to back a national team.
Upon returning from India, Naidoo expanded gsport’s global reach with enhanced coverage of women’s sport and the introduction of the Inverroche Global Woman in Sport award. Now in its fifth year, the award has honoured five exceptional women for their contributions to global sport.
In 2022, gsport appointed Ananya Upendran as its first #gsportGlobal correspondent, who provided comprehensive coverage of the Covid-19-affected Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
From the gsport Newsroom Archives: Where it all started
The following year, with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup hosted in South Africa, gsport became the only South African media house to cover all the national team’s games across the country. gsport also hosted its first official #gsportGlobal gathering in Gqeberha ahead of the South Africa vs. Australia match, bringing together leaders and supporters of women’s sport.
Later in 2023, gsport strengthened its global presence by appointing renowned Indian journalist Annesha Ghosh to cover the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Simultaneously, gsport stationed a writer and a new intern in Cape Town to cover the Netball World Cup, providing in-depth reporting from the court and the vibrant fan parks.
Most recently, Thando Sibiya became gsport’s latest global correspondent, covering the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics from her base in Paris. As gsport continues to expand its global footprint, it remains committed to showcasing the excellence of women in sport and inspiring future generations to achieve greatness on the world stage.
Main Photo Caption: A screenshot of the YouTube video in which gsport Founder Kass Naidoo announces the launch of #gsportGlobal five years ago. Image: gsport
Photo 2 Caption: Karla Pretorius, pictured with former Sport Arts and Culture DM, Nocawe Mafu, was the first of five Inverroche Global Woman in Sport award winners. Image: gsport
Photo 3 Caption: Pictured at the SA Sport Awards, Kirsten Neuschäfer was unveiled as the 2024 Inverroche Global Woman in Sport at #gsport19. Image: Andries Kruger
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