Miss World girls show Bafana how to score (video)

Weaves,  manicured fingernails, mini shorts and bruised egos came into play when Miss World 2009 contestants took to the field of the new World Cup stadium in Port Elizabeth, writes Lindile Sifile.
The 112 ladies from around the world roughed it up in different sporting disciplines, including soccer.

In their sloppy and girly way they actually netted goals, which is more that one can say about Bafana Bafana who have been experiencing a string of losses and goal-less draws lately, one at the very same stadium, the Nelson Mandela Bay, a few days ago.

The girls spent two days visiting tourist attractions in the Cacadu District Municipality before taking part in the Miss World Sports Woman, one of the four sports events planned before the pageant on December 12 in Johannesburg.

Other tasks on their diary include Miss World Talent in Joburg on Sunday, Miss World Beach Beauty in Durban on Wednesday, Miss World Fashion and Miss World Beauty with a Purpose.

“The girl that wins today will automatically secure a place in the top 15 on the night of the pageant,” whispered Diane Chidrawi , a media publicist from Total Exposure. “They have everything to play for.”

But not our girl, Miss South Africa Tatum Keshwar, who was barely seen on the field. “Unfortunately, I’m the most unco-ordinated person in South Africa; it’s highly unlikely that I was meant for that, anyway, but I’m still trying to fly the South African flag.”

It’s only a few weeks before her reign comes to an end, a year that will leave her with many memories. “It’s time for somebody else to carry the baton on and it’s time for me to reap the seeds that I’ve sown in this year of my reign.”

Magdalena Schoeman, a South African born-turned-New Zealand citizen, has been one of the much talked-about girls. Both her parents are South African and she emigrated with them to New Zealand when she was eight.

“I miss South Africa. It’s got such a spirit of a country that you can’t find anywhere else,” she enthuses.

The whistle blows and the games begin. Security has already told us that there will be no physical contact among the girls – and organiser Marcus Agar warned us to take pictures at a “respectable angle”!

The girls are divided into four teams. Their task is to net as many penalties as possible. I could sense an undertone of rivalry from the rolling of the eyes.

Soccer fanatic Miss Serbia, Jelena Markovic, showed off her skills by balancing a ball on one foot.

Other games follow and a couple of girls retire hurt, Miss Sri Lanka Gamya Wijayadasa with a bumped nose. Paramedics rush to help with painkillers, but she’s on the mend ….

YOU TUBE: DispatchOnline speaks to the Miss World 2009 contestants