ceremony of South Africa's elite games for athletes with intellectual
impairment, at Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane, Capricorn district
22 October 2007
Programme director
Mayor of Polokwane Mr Thabo Makunyane
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture
President of the South African Sports Association (for the Intellectually
Impaired) Lizzie Vogel and members of the leadership team
Games director Mr Ronnie Mohlabi
School sports co-ordinators
Sponsors of the games
Our athletes
Media
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen:
It is a rare privilege for us to be honoured to host these prestigious
games, which seek to showcase the best that our country can offer in the field
of sport for the intellectually impaired. The people of Limpopo are indeed very
delighted to have an opportunity to play host to these important games. What we
find most exciting is that, these games are taking place at a time when the
entire country is celebrating the victory of our Springbok team (Amabhokobhoko)
in their final against the English team. Congratulations Bokke for doing us
proud by bringing home the World Cup. We hope you will inspire players of other
sporting codes, to want to do more for their individual teams and clubs.
Programme director
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) there are 600 million
disabled people all over the world, a figure which constitute about 10 percent
of the world's population. Of this number, it is estimated that about 80
percent of all disabled people worldwide live in developing countries like
South Africa. The data collected in census 2001 indicates that our country has
at least 2 255 982 people with various forms of disabilities. This number
constitutes about five percent of the total South African population, which
gives us enough reason to continue giving due recognition and attention to this
section of our population.
Our past experiences have taught us that, in spite of their disability,
intellectually impaired people are as capable of playing sport just like
anybody else. We believe these elite games will be capable of showcasing the
many talents and skills which intellectually impaired athletes possess in
abundance. Just as there are many good doctors, lawyers and scientists who are
disabled, equally there are very good sports men and women who come from the
ranks of the intellectually and physically impaired.
Gathered here are footballers, netballers, athletes and basketball players
of impeccable credentials. These are extraordinary athletes who have achieved
extraordinary goals, both here at home and abroad. We are just from the World
Athletics Championships in Brazil where Team South Africa performed
exceptionally well.
We take pride in knowing that our team collected two gold, four silver and
one bronze medal. It is also with deep pride to note that athletes from Limpopo
performed very well in these games. In this regard, one wishes to take this
opportunity to salute all athletes who made us proud, especially those who come
from our province. We wish to salute athletes such as, Abram Matloga from
Solomondale who won gold in 800 and 1 500 m, Ishmael Legodi from GaMashashane,
who won silver in 200 m and long jump, and Boitumelo Mogashoa from Solomondale,
who won silver in 200 m.
The success of these athletes can only mean that intellectually impaired
people are normal human beings who are capable of living normal lives to their
full potential. The message which these games must convey to our people is
that, disabled people are as normal and productive as everyone else in
society.
Disabled people like all members of society have got the right to play sport
and to be protected from discrimination and indignity. We want sport to play a
key role not just for competition purposes, but also for rehabilitation and
recreation. Sport is also critical in keeping all of us including the
intellectually impaired healthy, and in good shape. Disability sport in
particular has a huge potential to assist the intellectually impaired to climb
the bandwagon of mainstream sport.
In addition, it also has the potential to make our society more aware of and
more sensitive to the plight and needs of disabled people in general. We
therefore all have a responsibility to ensure that these games are promoted
through sponsorship, and are not marginalised from the mainstream sport and
recreation landscape of our country. These games must help us to reflect on the
plight, achievements and aspirations of millions of people with disabilities.
As we take stock on the overall performance of government, we must also check
whether we are doing enough as government to address challenges of people with
disabilities.
The establishment of policy development and advocacy structures like the
Office on Status of Disabled Persons and Human Rights Commission clearly
represent an unqualified commitment on the part of government towards building
a South Africa that truly belongs to all.
Programme director
We feel truly blessed to receive the multitudes of you, from all corner of
South Africa to this most beautiful part of our country. It is our hope that
you will enjoy our surroundings and make good use of the magnificent facilities
that we have made available to you.
I wish you a happy stay in Limpopo! Let the best athletes win! It is now my
privilege to declare these games officially opened.
I thank you
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
22 October 2007
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.limpopo.gov.za)
