Limpopo MEC For Sport, Arts and Culture Ms Nakedi Sibanda-Kekana welcomed hundreds of athletes and delegates in Polokwane. This is ahead of the Special Olympics.

700 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from across all 9 provinces have descended to Polokwane Municipality for the games. The games started on Thursday, 17 November and will end on Saturday, 19 November.

The games began with a Law Enforcement Torch Run which saw the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” travel to four districts in Limpopo. This was before it finally entered the Peter Mokaba Stadium as part of the official Opening Ceremony.

MEC KEKANA PROUD

“This is a very special day for all of us, in particular for us here in Limpopo. From the day we were informed about hosting this auspicious event, it became apparent that this is going to be a great day,” said Sibanda-Kekana.

“I just wish the thousands of people in Limpopo and South Africa could have been here to witness the talent. The abilities of our children with intellectual abilities displayed in the field of sport. This testimony could therefore be spread across the country.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The Special Olympics athletes will compete in 8 sporting codes. This includes athletics, aquatics, basketball, bocce, football, futsal, netball, table tennis and ten pin bowling.

Sports competitions will include officiating by representatives from different federations such as SAFA, ASA, Table Tennis, Swimming SA, Ten pin Bowling and Netball SA.

The competition will see the advancement of the Special Olympics South Africa National Team that will represent SA at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Germany.

They will be participating against over 7000 athletes from 180 countries. Team SA will be hoping to beat the medal count from the previous Special Olympics Summer Games in the UAE. They returned with 35 Gold, 15 Silver and 12 Bronze medals.