SAfrica hoping for at least 5th spot in CWG medal tally

Shikwambana said the absence of star athletes will create an opportunity for others to make a name for themselves at the world stage. "It's an opportunity for others to deliver the results. We have prepared ourselves strongly for the event and we want to consolidate our fifth position at the Commonwealth medal tally," Shikwambana told PTI.

"In the 2006 Melbourne Games, we had finished fifth in the medal tally and if not better, we want to at least retain that at the Delhi Games. If we excel that's great," she said after meeting the South African swimming contingent at the Games Village here.

South Africa's two world 800-metre champions, Caster Semenya and Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, pulled out of the Games, citing back injuries. "It's true that we have lost two definite medal prospects but then you can't force them to come and participate. It's an individual choice. But yes their arrival would have boosted our chances," she said.

Shikwambana said she does not believe in pressurising the athletes by setting medal targets for them. "Hoping for a medal or fixing some number is like unnecessarily pressurising your athletes. Once you start expecting a number, you end up building pressure on them. And I don't believe in this. We are well prepared and that will show in our performance," the chef-de-mission said.

Shikwambana also gave a thumbs-up to the security at the village and competition venues in the capital and said organisers have done a commendable job. "Security is about different attitude and approach. There are lots of security issues back home in South Africa and things here have shaped up pretty well. Security is excellent and we are really happy," the South African team boss said.

When asked about how the South Africans are celebrating the 141st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, whose non-violent movement against the apartheid in the country is still remembered, Shikwambana said the South African High Commission to India had organised a cultural evening yesterday to pay homage to the man who led India to its independence.

"We were at the High Commission where a function was organised to pay homage to the greatest leader. We marked the occasion yesterday. We all respect him," she said.