KWAMHLANGA – Kwathando Care Centre in Sun City A, KwaMhlanga, welcomed back its athletes who represented Mpumalanga at the Special Olympics in Rustenburg.
The team competed in table tennis and bocce after departing on Sunday, 27 August, and returned on Monday, 31 August.
Staff, parents and fellow beneficiaries welcomed the athletes with singing and ululation as they returned with medals from the competition.
Although the team did not progress to the National Championships, the competition gave many of the athletes an opportunity to travel beyond their home area, compete at a major event and gain valuable sporting experience.
The athletes also developed their skills and confidence in table tennis and bocce while learning about teamwork and discipline.
They also interacted with other children with intellectual disabilities, giving them an opportunity to socialise and share experiences.
Kwathando Care Centre thanked Special Olympics Mpumalanga, the coaches, parents, the Department of Social Development and other stakeholders who supported the team.
Centre manager Lucas Nkuna said more work was needed to educate communities about intellectual disabilities and create greater inclusion in sport, arts and culture.
“There is still a big challenge for people to understand intellectual disability. There is still a lack of understanding, especially in sports, arts and culture. We plead with the Department of Social Development, Sports, Arts and Culture and other stakeholders to join our outreach programmes to educate communities. Our children feel sidelined as if they are nobody, yet they do exist,” Nkuna said.
The centre called on stakeholders to invest in inclusive sports programmes and provide children with intellectual disabilities with equal opportunities to participate.
