The North West Education and Sport Development MEC, Maphefo Matsemela, welcomed students who participated in the World Special Olympic Games which were held in Los Angeles, USA.
Everybody at the fully packed OR Tambo International Airport was in a joyous and celebratory mood as friends and relatives welcomed back their heroes. MEC Matsemela said, “We are proud and happy of this achievement, it is important as a nation that we participate in sports as it is a unifying force and keeps us healthy”.
Chairman of the South African Special Olympics, Dr Matthews Phosa said the students’ achievement manifested Madiba’s ideals of a non-racial society where nobody is discriminated.
The North West province sent six athletes, two coaches and 1 official to the games and the provincial delegation were part of the national team which competed for nine days in the USA. The national team was selected at the National Special Games held at Pietermaritzburg on 11 July 2014.
The World Special Olympics Games are held to celebrate the talent of people with different disabilities. The South African team consisted of 84 athletes and competed in nine different codes, namely track and field, basket ball, golf, female football, table tennis, tenpin bowling, horse riding, swimming and bocce.
The North West delegation obtained 10 medals in total at the World Games and this achievement fulfils the Honourable Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo’s vision of Repositioning, Renewing and Rebranding the province through sport.
As the disabled learners return home, it is hoped that their participation and victory despite their challenges will serve as a motivating force to other learners.
Enquiries:
Elias Malindi
Cell: 072 115 4855/072 892 8399
