South African underwater hockey has lost one of its most valued players in a drowning accident on Saturday.
Morkel Swart (22) was swimming with friends in Nelspruit when he drowned. Swart was a member of the team that will represent South Africa at the World Underwater Hockey Championships to be held in New Zealand in March and April 2004.
He represented South Africa as a junior (under-21) from 1997 to 1999 and played in the under-25 team in 2001. Swart got full Protea colours at the World Championships held in Canada in 2002.
”Morkel was an outstanding athlete and a great asset to the South African team. We are deeply shocked by this event.
”The team has decided to dedicate their participation at the World Championships to Morkel,” said Stephan Woodborne, coach of the South African underwater hockey team. — Sapa