Chairman of the Special Olympics South Africa, Dr Mathews Phosa,
Chairman of Special Olympics International, Dr Timothy Shriver,
The CEO of the Coca-Cola Company, Mr Muhtar Kent,
Special Olympics athletes,
Distinguished guests,
It is my pleasure to join you this evening, on the eve of our inaugural Special Olympics Unity Cup match that we are all looking forward to.
We extend a warm South African welcome to all our international guests. We trust that you are enjoying your stay in our country. It is not often that I have the privilege of addressing an audience so committed to building a society in which all of its citizens are included and treated equally. It is not always that we get together united by sharing a passion for levelling the playing fields for all in our society.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We meet against the background of the exciting 2010 Football World Cup tournament. We are truly excited to have been chosen as the hosts of both the World Cup and the Unity Cup. We are happy to have proven that Africa is ready and able to host such important events.
Since the start of the tournament our country has been abuzz with visitors from all over the world. The cosmopolitan atmosphere is exciting for all, and so is the football itself. We have noted that thousands of people continue to attend the football matches. That is very encouraging as it means the excitement around the tournament does not decline at all. People do not want to miss out on exciting football. They keep going to the stadiums.
We are now looking forward to the critical stages leading up to the final match on 11 July. This is truly a memorable event for Africa and for our country. And we are happy that we could host the Unity Cup on the margins of the World Cup tournament.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is highly impressive that the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly 3,5 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world. I feel encouraged to be part of this movement and this occasion because of South Africa's vision for an inclusive nation.
We wanted to host a FIFA World Cup that would give hope even to the most marginalised and vulnerable in our society. I now feel that we are achieving that through the Unity Cup.
To the football legends and celebrities that are sharing their time and have used their status to shine a spotlight on the athletes in tomorrow's inaugural match, I applaud you. The joy of this exercise is that it is not just fun. This is an important occasion for us as South Africans.
The Constitution of our country states that nobody will be discriminated against for various reasons including disability. We will continue working together always, to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy equal rights everywhere at home, schools, work and everywhere. The Special Olympics South Africa leadership is doing wonderful work for this country and the 27 000 athletes in this regard and as government we will provide support.
Working together, we are working to build a nation that celebrates and nurtures the diversity of our humanity. To the Special Olympics Unity Cup teams, the Unity Cup is our opportunity to shine. I realise that everybody has been training hard for this event. I am not so sure about my team but as a good Captain, I am convinced that we will put up a good fight tomorrow!
Thank you all for this opportunity to be with you this evening and to be a part of tomorrow's Unity Cup match.
I have no doubt that this event will show the world the courage of our athletes. It should contribute to changing the way the world views people with intellectual disabilities. Let me before concluding, acknowledge the various parties that have made this event possible.
Thanks to the passion from Special Olympics International and
South Africa, the commitment from FIFA and the 2010 World Cup Local
Organising Committee as well as the sponsor we will be celebrating on the pitch tomorrow ahead of the World Cup quarter finals.
We are able to use FIFA World Cup platform to promote unity, tolerance and an understanding of diversity.
I wish everybody a wonderful day and success tomorrow.
I thank you.
